A Day for Soft Food
by Tod Levi (1999)
Genres: Slice of life

Ever since the provider's sickness began, he's been all hisses and growls. Even the slightest misstep seems to annoy him. Perhaps that's why your bowl has held nothing but hard food lately. And not much of that.

action: %
response: Ever since the Provider's sickness began, he's been all hisses and growls. Even the slightest misstep annoys him. Maybe that's why your bowl has held nothing but hard food lately. And not much of that.

You awaken to a faint twitter. Perhaps a trick of the rising light, you pinpoint a fluttering shape. Your quickened breath frosts the window pane, the dawn promising no ordinary day.

Opposite a billowy wall, a window looks east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.
action: About yourself
response: You hear snoring to the west.

To the east, a shape flutters out of view.
action: You go east
response: You bump your nose on the glass.

You hear snoring to the west.

Your stomach growls.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry nothing between your teeth. You are also quite hungry, and your dark fur is well-groomed.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Paw glass
response: You feel nothing unexpected.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Meow
response: You mew loudly, plaintively.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Hiss
response: You growl and hiss, but to no avail.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Look around
response: Opposite a billowy wall, a window looks east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Go west
response: You nose your way under the billowy wall...

You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds, though when the Provider is here, you do so with care. He is mean enough when un-provoked, and does not appreciate being woken. A cord hangs beside a billowy wall to the east. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: Meow
response: You mew loudly, plaintively.

The Provider grumbles as he rises from the blankets and seizes you by the scruff of the neck. Moments later, you find yourself tumbling head over heels into a bank of snow. You hear the latch click inside the cottage, knowing you've been sentenced to a day in the cold--hardly bearable without even the hope of soft food.
action: Examine Provider
response: The Provider lies asleep on his side. He faces east, snorfling loudly.

Your stomach growls.
action: You pull the cord
response: You tentatively paw at the cord, then reconsider. Idle play this close to the Provider may have serious consequences. [You have been warned.]

The Provider snores beside you.
action: You play with the cord
response: With a deft swat of your paw, you tug on the cord. The billowy wall parts, and a stream of sunlight illuminates the blankets below. His face bathed in light, the Provider blinks and stirs. He notices you standing suspiciously beside the swaying cord.

The Provider grumbles as he rises from the blankets and seizes you by the scruff of the neck. Moments later, you find yourself tumbling head over heels into a bank of snow. You hear the latch click inside the cottage, knowing you've been sentenced to a day in the cold--hardly bearable without even the hope of soft food.
action: You go to the north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: Up
response: You leap up onto the ledge.
action: Look around
response: Food Room (on the ledge)
Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You look at the cupboard
response: You might be able to open the cupboard above you.
action: You open it
response: You pry open the cupboard with your paw.
action: You search it
response: You might be able to enter the cupboard above you.
action: You enter it
response: You leap up into the cupboard...

Food Room (in the cupboard)
Within the close, heavy shadows, it's difficult to separate the commingled scents. Most of the arranged boxes appear to contain a Provider version of hard food. Indeed, your very own monstrous sack of hard food stands nearby.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: Bite bag
response: You scratch futilely at the monstrous sack.
action: You open the bag
response: The sack is too tightly bound.

Your stomach gurgles and groans.
action: You look at the sack
response: The monstrous sack contains a seemlingly limitless supply of hard food.
action: Go downwards
response: You leap down from the cupboard to the ledge.
action: Look around
response: Food Room (on the ledge)
Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You lick yourself
response: That's out of reach.
action: You groom
response: What do you want to groom?
action: About yourself
response: Your insides feel quite hollow.
action: You look at the whiskers
response: You've a handsome set of highly sensitive whiskers.
action: Look around
response: Food Room (on the ledge)
Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: Down
response: You leap from the ledge to the floor.
action: You groom the tail
response: You groom yourself until your dark fur has a nice sheen, and your whiskers are grease-free and properly alligned.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.

An orange light rises in the east.
action: You hunt bird
response: Alas. It's high in the sky.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: You look at the bird
response: Its golden feathers and careless chirping make it all but irresistable.

The yellow-feathered bird alights on the fence.
action: You get on the fence
response: The slats are too slippery, the fence too tall.

The yellow-feathered bird hops along the fence.
action: You hide
response: You attempt to conceal yourself as best as possible.

The yellow-feathered bird hops along the fence.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird hops lightly on the snow.
action: You get bird
response: Creeping forward, you attempt to conceal your dark fur in the shadows of the tree stump, but when you leap forward, the yellow-feathered bird easily anticipates you.

The yellow-feathered bird flies off to the west.
action: You examine the stump
response: An axe is embedded in the stump.
action: You examine the axe
response: It makes up for the Provider's lack of sharp claws.
action: You get the axe
response: That's hardly portable.
action: Sharpen claws
response: You sharpen your claws on the tree stump.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 2 out of a possible 100, in 43 turns, earning you the rank of pussyfooter.

The score is made up as follows:

2 total (out of 100)
action: Sharpen claws
response: You sharpen your claws on the tree stump.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.
action: You hide in the hole
response: You try hiding near the hole, but you feel as exposed as ever.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You enter the hole
response: You get into the hole.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: You hide
response: You attempt to conceal yourself as best as possible.

The yellow-feathered bird alights on the fence.
action: %
response: Ever since the Provider's sickness began, he's been all hisses and growls. Even the slightest misstep annoys him. Maybe that's why your bowl has held nothing but hard food lately. And not much of that.

You awaken to a faint twitter. Perhaps a trick of the rising light, you pinpoint a fluttering shape. Your quickened breath frosts the window pane, the dawn promising no ordinary day.

Opposite a billowy wall, a window looks east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.
action: You hide
response: You attempt to conceal yourself as best as possible.

The yellow-feathered bird hops along the fence.
action: You examine the bird
response: Its golden feathers and careless chirping make it all but irresistable.

The yellow-feathered bird glides nimbly to the snowy ground.
action: You examine the bird
response: Its golden feathers and careless chirping make it all but irresistable.

The yellow-feathered bird hops lightly on the snow.
action: You examine the bird
response: Its golden feathers and careless chirping make it all but irresistable.

The yellow-feathered bird pecks at the snow.
action: You look at the bird
response: Its golden feathers and careless chirping make it all but irresistable.

The yellow-feathered bird flies off to the west.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: Go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a pile of pale ash here.

Your stomach gurgles and groans.
action: You examine the ash
response: The pile of light grey ash is fine and powdery.
action: Roll in ash
response: You roll in the pile of ash, transforming your dark coat into a pale, light grey.
action: Go east
response: On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You enter the hole
response: You get into the hole.
action: You hide
response: You attempt to conceal yourself as best as possible.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird alights on the fence.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird hops along the fence.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird hops along the fence.

Your insides feel quite hollow.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird glides nimbly to the snowy ground.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird hops lightly on the snow.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird pecks at the snow.
action: You get the bird
response: You creep forward, your ashen coat providing perfect camouflage against the snow. You're nearly upon the yellow-feathered bird when he cocks a jittering eye. You leap with all your heart as he takes flight, one claw finding its mark. But in a flurry of golden feathers, he soars out of reach and is gone.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 8 out of a possible 100, in 29 turns, earning you the rank of pussyfooter.

The score is made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)

8 total (out of 100)
action: Look around
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a yellow feather and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You take the feather
response: You gingerly pick up the yellow feather with your teeth.
action: You examine the feather
response: It's your only prize from an arduous hunt. You thank your whiskers you've got a Provider.
action: You groom
response: What do you want to groom?
action: Yourself
response: You groom yourself until your dark fur has a nice sheen, and your whiskers are grease-free and properly alligned.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You go to the south
response: The Provider snores beside you.

You're starving!
action: Tickle Provider with feather
response: You tickle the Provider with the feather.

The Provider sighs heavily and rolls over. Facing west, he resumes his snoring.
action: Tickle Provider with feather
response: You tickle the Provider with the feather.

The Provider sighs heavily and rolls over. Facing east, he resumes his snoring.
action: You examine the blankets
response: The warm shadows under the blankets are inviting.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: Tickle Provider
response: You tickle the Provider.

The Provider stirs and sighs heavily.
action: You pull the cord
response: With a deft swat of your paw, you tug on the cord. The billowy wall parts, and a stream of sunlight illuminates the blankets below. Fortunately, the Provider is facing away from the light.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 14 out of a possible 100, in 44 turns, earning you the rank of mouser.

The score is made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)
2 safely opening the blinds
4 finding sundry items

14 total (out of 100)
action: You search the blankets
response: The warm shadows under the blankets are inviting.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: Look around
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You hear snoring to the west.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You open the window
response: You insert a paw into the gap, but can't get enough leverage.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You examine the landscape
response: Just beyond the window is a cluster of aspens. Below, a stream rushes through the grove.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You examine the window
response: A slight breeze flows through a gap beneath the window.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You examine the gap
response: Judging by your whiskers, there's no way through the gap.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You go to the west
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: You look at the bowl
response: Checking your food bowl is your greatest pastime. On rare days, it contains soft food--dreamy blends of salmon and turkey giblets, chicken livers and beef, that the Provider scoops from flat, shiny eggs. More often, it contains hard food--dry, drab stuff from a monstrous sack. Unfortunately, your bowl is utterly empty.
action: You go to the east
response: You leap up onto the lumpy mountain...

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a flannel shirt here.
action: You examine the shirt
response: A bit smelly, perhaps, but you love to nap in its soft folds.
action: Examine box
response: Two silvery antenae extend from this peculiar animal.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: You pull the shirt
response: Nothing obvious happens.
action: You get the shirt
response: (first dropping the yellow feather)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the flannel shirt with your teeth.
action: You eat shirt
response: That's plainly inedible.
action: You enter the shirt
response: You can only get into something freestanding.
action: You drop the shirt
response: Dropped.
action: You enter the shirt
response: You get onto the flannel shirt.
action: Go west
response: You'll have to get off the flannel shirt first.
action: Scratch shirt
response: You get off the flannel shirt.

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a flannel shirt and a yellow feather here.

You're not going to be able to carry on without food.

Violence isn't the answer to this one.
action: Go west
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You go upward
response: You leap up onto the ledge.
action: You open the cupboard
response: You pry open the cupboard with your paw.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a pile of pale ash here.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry nothing between your teeth. You are also quite hungry, and covered in pale ash.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 2 out of a possible 100, in 19 turns, earning you the rank of pussyfooter.

The score is made up as follows:

2 total (out of 100)
action: Go east
response: On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You go upward
response: You leap up onto the ledge.
action: You open the cupboard
response: You pry open the cupboard with your paw.
action: You enter it
response: You leap up into the cupboard...

Food Room (in the cupboard)
Within the close, heavy shadows, it's difficult to separate the commingled scents. Most of the arranged boxes appear to contain a Provider version of hard food. Indeed, your very own monstrous sack of hard food stands nearby.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You examine the sack
response: The monstrous sack contains a seemlingly limitless supply of hard food.

Your insides feel quite hollow.
action: You open the sack
response: The sack is too tightly bound.
action: You cut the sack
response: Cutting that up would achieve little.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Food Room (in the cupboard)
Within the close, heavy shadows, it's difficult to separate the commingled scents. Most of the arranged boxes appear to contain a Provider version of hard food. Indeed, your very own monstrous sack of hard food stands nearby.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You go north
response: You'll have to get off the ledge first.
action: Go downward
response: You leap from the ledge to the floor.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.
action: Go north
response: A slatted fence bars your way.
action: Oops fence
response: You can see through gaps in this slatted fence, even insert a paw or two, but your acute sense of spacial intuition tells you there's no way over or through it.

You're starving!
action: You look through the fence
response: Beyond the fence is a neighboring farmhouse.
action: You go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.
action: Blow balloon
response: (first taking the red balloon)
The red balloon is up in the tree.
action: You climb the tree
response: There are too few branches to climb very far up. Tearing away a piece of bark, you leap back to the ground.
action: You go to the north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

The yellow-feathered bird alights on the fence.
action: Go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

The yellow-feathered bird hops along the fence.
action: Go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark here.
action: You examine the stream
response: The stream is swift. And cold.
action: You examine the bark
response: It's shaggy, thin, and still intact.
action: You go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A rotting log lies half-exposed in the snow.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: You look at the log
response: The rotting log is roughly the size of the Provider's leg. A few insects appear to be buzzing nearby.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: You eat the insect
response: Ouch!

The yellow-feathered bird alights on the snowy maw.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird chirps atop the snowy maw.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.
action: Go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark here.
action: Drink stream
response: You can tell from here that the stream is too cold to even make the attempt.
action: You go to the north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

A yellow-feathered bird flies high above.
action: You go to the east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark here.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: You go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.
action: Go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark here.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A rotting log lies half-exposed in the snow.
action: You go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the south.
action: You go north
response: You wander north a ways before turning back.

To the south, a glinting beast comes into view.
action: You climb the tree
response: You scramble up a chestnut tree.

Below, the glinting beast roars onward.
action: You eat the chestnut
response: That's plainly inedible.

Below, the glinting beast whizzes out of view.
action: You examine the chestnut
response: Chestnut trees border the trail.
action: Go downward
response: You leap down off the chestnut tree.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.

You're not going to be able to carry on without food.
action: Go south
response: You wander south a ways before turning back.

To the north, a glinting beast comes into view.
action: You go west
response: The way is slippery and steep. You slide back onto the trail.

The glinting beast bears down on you!
action: Go east
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A rotting log lies half-exposed in the snow.

The yellow-feathered bird pecks at the snow.
action: Scratch log
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

The yellow-feathered bird flies off to the north.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry nothing between your teeth. You are also quite hungry, and covered in pale ash.
action: Go east
response: On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The yellow-feathered bird alights on the fence.
action: You go to the south
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds, though when the Provider is here, you do so with care. He is mean enough when un-provoked, and does not appreciate being woken. A cord hangs beside a billowy wall to the east. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: You climb the tree
response: There are too few branches to climb very far up. Tearing away a piece of bark, you leap back to the ground.

You're starving!
action: You take the bark
response: (first dropping the yellow feather)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the bark with your teeth.
action: You go west
response: The cottage window is too high to reach.
action: Go east
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You put the bark in the gap
response: You coax the bark into the gap. Oh, no! It falls through.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You open the window with the bark
response: That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You drop the bark
response: Dropped.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Go west
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You go to the north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.
action: You go to the east
response: You leap up onto the lumpy mountain...

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a flannel shirt here.
action: You get shirt
response: You gingerly pick up the flannel shirt with your teeth.
action: Go east
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You can see a sizable piece of bark here.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You put the shirt in the gap
response: That doesn't fit.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You drop the shirt
response: Dropped.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You stand on shirt
response: You get onto the flannel shirt.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You put the bark in the gap
response: You need to be holding the bark before you can put it into something else.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You get the bark
response: You gingerly pick up the bark with your teeth.

You hear snoring to the west.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: Open gap
response: That's not something you can open.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You open the window
response: You insert a paw into the gap, but can't get enough leverage.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You put the bark in the gap
response: You coax the bark into the gap. Oh, no! It falls through.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You get the bowl
response: You'll have to get off the flannel shirt first.

You hear snoring to the west.
You'll have to get off the flannel shirt first.

You hear snoring to the west.
You can't see any such thing.
action: You get the bowl
response: You get off the flannel shirt.

From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You can see a flannel shirt here.

You hear snoring to the west.

You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach. Both you and your Provider know where your bowl is. It's an arrangement that suits you just fine.
action: You get the bowl
response: Both you and your Provider know where your bowl is. It's an arrangement that suits you just fine.
action: Go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a pile of pale ash here.

You're not going to be able to carry on without food.
action: You go chute
response: You claw your way up the stone chute...

The pitched roof of the Provider's cottage affords an excellent view of the surrounding valley. A stream winds through forest to the east and south, while a woodland trail to the west links scattered farmhouses, such as the neighboring one beyond a fence to the north.

The wind blows south.
action: About yourself
response: The wind blows south.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry a sizable piece of bark between your teeth. You are also quite hungry, and covered in pale ash.

The wind blows south.
action: You eat the bark
response: That's plainly inedible.

The wind blows south.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: You look at the aspen
response: Slender, silvery aspens climb straight toward the sky. Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.
action: Break branch
response: You sharpen your claws on the trunk of a tree.
action: You get log
response: The log has rotted away much of its weight. It's still too heavy to lift, but you might be able to get it rolling.
action: Roll log
response: You roll the log over. It's humming with insects.

You're starving!
action: You eat the insects
response: The rotting log is roughly the size of the Provider's leg. Buzzing insects are swarming around it!

Ouch!
action: You move the insects
response: You are unable to.
action: You get the insect
response: Ouch!
action: Roll log
response: You roll the log over. It's humming with insects.
action: Roll log east
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.
You can't, since the huge door is in the way.
action: You look at the door
response: The huge door seems relatively featureless.
action: You examine the maw
response: Inside the snowy maw is a huge door.

Inside the snowy maw is a huge door.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You enter the hole
response: You get into the hole.
action: Go upward
response: You'll have to get out of the hole first.
action: Go outside
response: You get out of the hole.

To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

You can see a hole (which is empty) and a buzzing log here.
action: Roll log west
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the south.
action: Roll log east
response: You can't even go that way!

To the south, a glinting beast comes into view.
action: Go up
response: You scramble up a chestnut tree, pieces of bark falling beneath you.

Below, the glinting beast roars onward.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Below, the glinting beast whizzes out of view.
action: Go downward
response: You leap down off the chestnut tree.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the south.
action: You go to the east
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: Go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark and a buzzing log here.
action: You get the bark
response: (first dropping the yellow feather)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the bark with your teeth.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the south.
action: Roll log east
response: You can't even go that way!

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: You roll the log north
response: You can't even go that way!

To the north, a glinting beast comes into view.
action: Go north
response: You wander north a ways before turning back.

The glinting beast bears down on you!
action: You climb tree
response: You scramble up a chestnut tree.

Below, the glinting beast whizzes out of view.
action: Go downwards
response: You leap down off the chestnut tree.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark and a buzzing log here.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: You roll the log north
response: You can't even go that way!

You stand frozen in the middle of the trail. In your final moment, you listen with peculiar detatchment to the roar of the onrushing beast as it swerves to avoid you. Just when you think you might be spared, you're smashed into oblivion.
action: You climb up
response: I don't think much is to be achieved by that.

You stand frozen in the middle of the trail. In your final moment, you listen with peculiar detatchment to the roar of the onrushing beast as it swerves to avoid you. Just when you think you might be spared, you're smashed into oblivion.
action: Roll log west
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: Roll log north
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.
action: Roll log east
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.
action: You go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.
action: You go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the south.
action: Go east
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

You're starving!
action: You go to the north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You examine the stump
response: An axe is embedded in the stump.
action: You put the log in the hole
response: You roll the buzzing log into the hole.
action: You get the axe
response: That's hardly portable.
action: You go east
response: You leap up onto the lumpy mountain...

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a flannel shirt here.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: Go east
response: The only way out of this corner is toward your food bowl to the west.
action: Scratch provider
response: You rake the Provider with your claws!

The Provider grumbles as he rises from the blankets and seizes you by the scruff of the neck. Moments later, you find yourself tumbling head over heels into a bank of snow. You hear the latch click inside the cottage, knowing you've been sentenced to a day in the cold--hardly bearable without even the hope of soft food.
action: Go east
response: You leap up onto the lumpy mountain...

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a yellow feather here.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: Drat
response: Quite.
action: You get the feather
response: (first dropping the flannel shirt)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the yellow feather with your teeth.
action: You get in the blankets
response: It's warm and snug beaneath the blankets, though you find the Provider's prodigious hind paws to be grotesquely hairless, smelly, and just a bit ticklish when brushed by your whiskers.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: Examine Provider
response: The Provider lies asleep on his side. He faces west, snorfling loudly.
action: Tickle Provider with feather
response: You tickle the Provider with the feather.

The Provider sighs heavily and rolls over. Facing east, he resumes his snoring.
action: Go outside
response: You nudge your way toward fresher air....

You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds, though when the Provider is here, you do so with care. He is mean enough when un-provoked, and does not appreciate being woken. A cord hangs beside a billowy wall to the east. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: You examine the cord
response: The long, thin cord hangs lifelessly above the blankets.

The Provider snores beside you.

You're not going to be able to carry on without food.
action: You pull the cord
response: You tentatively paw at the cord, then reconsider. Idle play this close to the Provider may have serious consequences. [You have been warned.]

The Provider snores beside you.
action: You enter the blankets
response: It's warm and snug beaneath the blankets, though you find the Provider's prodigious hind paws to be grotesquely hairless, smelly, and just a bit ticklish when brushed by your whiskers.

The Provider snores beside you.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: Close window
response: The window won't budge.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You examine gap
response: Judging by your whiskers, there's no way through the gap.

You hear snoring to the west.

You're starving!
action: Tickle Provider with feather
response: You tickle the Provider with the feather.

The Provider sighs heavily and rolls over. Facing east, his face is bathed in streaming light. He notices you nearby, a feather hanging suspiciously from your mouth.

The Provider grumbles as he rises from the blankets and seizes you by the scruff of the neck. Moments later, you find yourself tumbling head over heels into a bank of snow. You hear the latch click inside the cottage, knowing you've been sentenced to a day in the cold--hardly bearable without even the hope of soft food.
action: Meow
response: You mew loudly, plaintively.

The Provider grumbles as he rises from the blankets and seizes you by the scruff of the neck. Moments later, you find yourself tumbling head over heels into a bank of snow. You hear the latch click inside the cottage, knowing you've been sentenced to a day in the cold--hardly bearable without even the hope of soft food.
action: Examine box
response: Two silvery antenae extend from this peculiar animal.
action: You get the shirt
response: (first dropping the yellow feather)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the flannel shirt with your teeth.
action: You examine the mountain
response: Ah, you could loll here all day.
action: You put the shirt in the gap
response: That doesn't fit.

You hear snoring to the west.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You examine the gap
response: Judging by your whiskers, there's no way through the gap.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You wear the shirt
response: You can't wear that!

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You put the shirt on the window
response: Putting things on the window would achieve nothing.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You go south
response: You can't go that way.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Go east
response: You bump your nose on the glass.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You drop the shirt
response: Dropped.

You hear snoring to the west.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: You drop the shirt
response: The flannel shirt is already here.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: Look around
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You can see a flannel shirt here.

You hear snoring to the west.
action: You go to the west
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.

You're starving!
action: You open cupboard
response: The cupboard is unreachable from here.
action: You go upward
response: You leap up onto the ledge.
action: You open the cupboard
response: You pry open the cupboard with your paw.
action: You enter the cupboard
response: You leap up into the cupboard...

Food Room (in the cupboard)
Within the close, heavy shadows, it's difficult to separate the commingled scents. Most of the arranged boxes appear to contain a Provider version of hard food. Indeed, your very own monstrous sack of hard food stands nearby.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.

You can also see a flannel shirt here.
action: Go east
response: You leap up onto the lumpy mountain...

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a yellow feather here.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You go west
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.

You can also see a flannel shirt here.
action: Go east
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

You hear snoring to the west.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: Meow
response: You mew loudly, plaintively.
action: You climb the tree
response: You scramble up a large tree, pieces of bark falling beneath you.

You're not going to be able to carry on without food.
action: Go downward
response: You leap down off the large tree.
action: Go south
response: You growl and hiss, but to no avail.

You encounter a swift-flowing stream. However, there may be a way over an embankment to the southwest.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: Roar
response: Please give one of the answers above.
action: You drop all
response: (the yellow feather)
Dropped.

You're starving!
action: You go south
response: You encounter a swift-flowing stream. However, there may be a way over an embankment to the southwest.
action: You go to the southwest
response: You better satisfy your hunger before making any extended explorations.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A rotting log lies half-exposed in the snow.
action: Roll log south
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.
action: You stand on the log
response: Harrassed by a gathering swarm of insects, you cautiously retreat from the log.
action: Go up
response: You scramble up a large tree, pieces of bark falling beneath you.
action: You examine the bark
response: It's shaggy, thin, and still intact.
action: You get the bark
response: But you're up in the tree!
action: Go down
response: You leap down off the large tree.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You get the bark
response: You gingerly pick up the bark with your teeth.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

You can also see a buzzing log here.
action: You go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a yellow feather and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You take the blanket
response: That's hardly portable.

The Provider snores beside you.

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: Scratch blanket
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a yellow feather and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You take the shirt
response: (first dropping the bark)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the flannel shirt with your teeth.
action: You put the shirt on Provider
response: You try to put the flannel shirt over the Provider, but he stirs in his sleep and waves you away.
action: You put the blanket on Provider
response: You need to be holding the blankets before you can put it on top of something else.

The Provider snores beside you.
action: You enter the blanket
response: It's warm and snug beaneath the blankets, though you find the Provider's prodigious hind paws to be grotesquely hairless, smelly, and just a bit ticklish when brushed by your whiskers.

The Provider snores beside you.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: You take the shirt
response: (first dropping the yellow feather)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the flannel shirt with your teeth.

You're starving!
action: You enter the cupboard
response: The cupboard is currently shut.
action: You close the cupboard
response: You lack the dexterity.
action: You get the sack
response: You clamp your teeth on the monstrous sack, but it's too heavy to lift.
action: You eat sack
response: That's plainly inedible.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: Go downwards
response: You'll have to get out of the cupboard first.
action: You examine the ledge
response: On the ledge beneath the cupboard, the Provider often creates food. You're not supposed to be here, but who will it hurt if you nose around a little?

You're beginning to feel dizzy.
action: Go downward
response: You leap from the ledge to the floor.
action: You take the shirt
response: You gingerly pick up the flannel shirt with your teeth.
action: You look
response: Food Room (in the cupboard)
Within the close, heavy shadows, it's difficult to separate the commingled scents. Most of the arranged boxes appear to contain a Provider version of hard food. Indeed, your very own monstrous sack of hard food stands nearby.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.

In the cupboard you can see a flannel shirt.
action: You go downwards
response: You leap from the ledge to the floor.

You're not going to be able to carry on without food.
action: You drop all
response: (the flannel shirt)
Dropped.

The Provider snores beside you.

Your hunger has become unbearable. With your last remaining energy you curl up to sleep. When you awake, night has fallen. You set out in search of the Provider, hoping for his kindness. If that fails, there are always insects.
action: Tickle paws
response: Which do you mean, the claws or the Provider's hind paws?
action: Hind
response: You tickle the Provider's hind paws.

The Provider stirs and sighs heavily.
action: Examine Provider
response: The Provider lies asleep on his side. He faces west, snorfling loudly.
action: You go outside
response: You nudge your way toward fresher air....

You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

The Provider snores beside you.

You're starving!
action: Tickle hind with feather
response: You tickle the Provider's hind paws with the feather.

The Provider sighs heavily and rolls over. Facing east, he grumbles and moans. The world around you heaves as he hauls his hind paws out from under the blanket.
action: You go outside
response: But you aren't in anything at the moment.

The Provider sits on the bed, yawning and scratching his head.
action: You go north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, as bare and empty as your stomach.

The Provider grumbles at you. You're not sure if this is because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider taps you on the nose, knocking the yellow feather from your mouth.

Your stomach aches with hunger.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider is preparing food.
action: Meow
response: Staring mournfully into your food bowl, you mew. The Provider glances at your empty bowl, grumbles, and fills it from a sack of hard food, which he returns to the cupboard.
action: You examine Food
response: (the morsel of hard food)
The hard food looks and smells like a piece of clay soaked in chicken grease.

The Provider heads toward the Lumpy Mountain.
action: You eat Food
response: It's filling, but so is sawdust. If you could only get your paws on some soft food!
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 26 out of a possible 100, in 54 turns, earning you the rank of domestic.

The score is made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)
2 safely opening the blinds
8 waking the Provider unawares
4 eating hard food
4 finding sundry items

26 total (out of 100)
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

The sun rises ever higher in the eastern sky.
action: You go to the east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.

There are too few branches to climb very far up. Tearing away a piece of bark, you leap back to the ground.
action: You get the bark
response: You gingerly pick up the bark with your teeth.
action: You go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

Your Rival leaps down from an ancient elm!
action: You look at Rival
response: Your Rival has a thick coat, huge frame, slavering fangs, and claws like eagle's talons. In short, you're no match for your Rival in size or ferocity.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: Growl
response: You growl and hiss, but to no avail.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: Go upward
response: You scramble up a large tree.

Your Rival waits for you at bottom of the tree.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Your Rival waits for you at bottom of the tree.
action: Meow
response: You mew loudly, plaintively.

The Provider arrives from the Aspens.

Your Rival waits for you at bottom of the tree.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider is gathering wood.

Your Rival waits for you at bottom of the tree.
action: Go downwards
response: You leap down off the large tree.

The Provider is gathering wood.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: You hit Rival
response: With one huge paw, he bats you aside like a fly.

The Provider is gathering wood.

You falter in the face of your Rival's ferocious charge. He pins you to the ground, mauling your face and underbelly. You struggle, but are helpless beneath him. You're dimly aware of him as he saunters away, leaving you for dead in the reddening snow. You only hope you freeze to death before the vermin and insects arrive.
action: Go north
response: The Provider's cottage is that way, but you can't enter it from here.

The Provider is gathering wood.

You falter in the face of your Rival's ferocious charge. He pins you to the ground, mauling your face and underbelly. You struggle, but are helpless beneath him. You're dimly aware of him as he saunters away, leaving you for dead in the reddening snow. You only hope you freeze to death before the vermin and insects arrive.
action: You go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

Your Rival arrives from the Aspens.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

Your Rival enters through the flap!
action: You go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a pile of pale ash here.

Looking back, you notice your Rival slavering over your food bowl.
action: You go to the east
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: Scratch rival
response: With one huge paw, he bats you aside like a fly.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: Growl
response: You growl and hiss, but to no avail.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

Looking back, you notice your Rival slavering over your food bowl.
action: You go to the south-west
response: Your Rival arrives from the Aspens, interrupting your explorations.
action: Go south
response: You encounter a swift-flowing stream. However, there may be a way over an embankment to the southwest.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: You go to the north
response: The Provider's cottage is that way, but you can't enter it from here.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: You go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A rotting log lies half-exposed in the snow.

Your Rival arrives from the Rival's Wood.
action: Go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

Looking back, you notice your Rival has abandoned the chase.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: You go to the east
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A rotting log lies half-exposed in the snow.

Your Rival crouches in the snow.
action: Roll log north
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider cries out as he squashes an insect against his arm.

Your Rival arrives from the Snowy Maw.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider growls at you. You're not sure if this is because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.

Your Rival walks casually around the snow hole.
action: You look through the fence
response: Beyond the fence is a neighboring farmhouse. Nearby, a boy plays in the snow.

The Provider taps you on the nose, knocking the bark from your mouth.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

Your Rival enters through the flap!
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider arrives from the Clearing.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The Provider kicks at your Rival, who reluctantly retreats through the flap.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider glares at you. You're not sure if this is because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes.

The Provider siezes you in his giant paws, and hurls you toward the Clearing...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log, a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You examine the pile
response: There's an assortment of limbs and spintery wedges of aspen, oak, and elm.
action: You get the pile
response: You pick out a freshly hewn strip of kindling.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You examine the kindling
response: This solid spear of kindling would burn readily in a hot fire.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider growls at you. You're not sure if this is because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider siezes you in his giant paws, and hurls you toward the Blankets...

You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.
action: Go north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider heads toward the Lumpy Mountain.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log, a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You climb fence
response: The slats are too slippery, the fence too tall.
action: You go to the south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.
action: Go east
response: You leap up onto the lumpy mountain...

There is just enough room in this cozy corner for the lumpy mountain and the confusing black box that faces it. The lumpy mountain is home to some of your finest claw and scratch marks, though your Provider has never shared much enthusiasm for the art. The scent of your food bowl wafts in from the west.

You can see a flannel shirt here.

The Provider lies here, gazing into the confusing box.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The Provider heads toward the Food Room.
action: Go west
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is fumbling with the front door.
action: You take Food
response: (first dropping the kindling)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the morsel of hard food with your teeth.

The Provider heads toward the Clearing.
action: You get kindling
response: (first dropping the morsel of hard food)
Perhaps some unfortunate critter will enjoy it more than you.

You gingerly pick up the kindling with your teeth.
action: You go to the south
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.
action: You go to the north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a morsel of hard food and a yellow feather here.
action: You go east
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.
action: You put the kindling in gap
response: You wedge the kindling into the gap.
action: You look
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape. Although the window's light warms you, a cold breeze emanates from its base.

Wedged into a gap beneath the window is a piece of kindling.
action: You open the window with the kindling
response: (first taking the kindling)
That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock.
action: You jump on the kindling
response: You step cautiously onto the kindling. It creaks and bends under your weight, raising the window. Suddenly, the kindling pulls free, and you tumble westward...

You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

You can see a strip of kindling here.
action: Go east
response: From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape.

A stiff breeze rushes through the open window.
action: You go to the east
response: You leap for the nearest aspen...

Aspens (on the aspen)
The sky never seemed so vast, the wind so angry, the ground so remote. Facing upwards,  you cling with all four claws to a slender trunk. West of you, the winds whistles through an open window. Water rushes far below, but you can hardly bear to look.

Caught in the branches of an aspen, is a red balloon.
action: You examine the balloon
response: A string dangles from an obviously buoyant balloon.
action: You take the string
response: The balloon dances in the air as you snare its string in your teeth.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 30 out of a possible 100, in 121 turns, earning you the rank of domestic.

The score is made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)
2 safely opening the blinds
8 waking the Provider unawares
4 eating hard food
8 finding sundry items

30 total (out of 100)
action: You go west
response: You leap for the window, catching the sill with your claws...

From the inner sill of a window, you look east over a snowy landscape.

A stiff breeze rushes through the open window.
action: Go downwards
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

You can see a strip of kindling here.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry a red balloon, its string between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.
action: You drop all
response: (the red balloon)
The balloon floats up to the ceiling.
action: You look
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

Hovering against the ceiling is a red balloon.

You can also see a strip of kindling here.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: Inventory
response: You carry nothing between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.
action: You go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

Your Rival crouches in the snow.
action: Go southwest
response: It's not so easy to traipse past your Rival.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: Go west
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile
action: Go north
response: of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a morsel of hard food and a yellow feather here.
action: Go east
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider is resting on the stump.

Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.
action: You go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

Your Rival crouches in the snow.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You carry a red balloon, its string between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: You hit the balloon
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: You hit the balloon
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

You falter in the face of your Rival's ferocious charge. He pins you to the ground, mauling your face and underbelly. You struggle, but are helpless beneath him. You're dimly aware of him as he saunters away, leaving you for dead in the reddening snow. You only hope you freeze to death before the vermin and insects arrive.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

Your Rival arrives from the Rival's Wood.
action: Go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

Your Rival arrives from the Snowy Maw.
action: You go to the north
response: The Provider's cottage is that way, but you can't enter it from here.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

Looking back, you notice your Rival has abandoned the chase.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You go south
response: You squeeze the balloon through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a morsel of hard food and a yellow feather here.
action: You get Food
response: (first dropping the red balloon)
The balloon floats up to the ceiling.

You gingerly pick up the morsel of hard food with your teeth.

The Provider arrives from the Lumpy Mountain.
action: You go to the north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.
action: You drop Food
response: Perhaps some unfortunate critter will enjoy it more than you.

Your Rival notices the hard food morsel, and swallows it whole.
action: You give Food to Rival
response: He snatches the morsel from you, and swallows it whole.
action: Look around
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: You go south
response: You encounter a swift-flowing stream. However, there may be a way over an embankment to the southwest.

The Provider arrives from the Aspens.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: Meow
response: The Provider grunts at you. You're not sure if this is because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.

You falter in the face of your Rival's ferocious charge. He pins you to the ground, mauling your face and underbelly. You struggle, but are helpless beneath him. You're dimly aware of him as he saunters away, leaving you for dead in the reddening snow. You only hope you freeze to death before the vermin and insects arrive.
action: You look around
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

The Provider is gathering wood.

You falter in the face of your Rival's ferocious charge. He pins you to the ground, mauling your face and underbelly. You struggle, but are helpless beneath him. You're dimly aware of him as he saunters away, leaving you for dead in the reddening snow. You only hope you freeze to death before the vermin and insects arrive.
action: You drop the balloon
response: The balloon floats up to the ceiling.
action: You go to the north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a morsel of hard food and a yellow feather here.
action: You take Food
response: You gingerly pick up the morsel of hard food with your teeth.
action: Inventory
response: You carry a morsel of hard food between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.
action: Go north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider heads toward the Lumpy Mountain.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: Wave food
response: You look ridiculous waving the morsel of hard food.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: You drop the morsel
response: Perhaps some unfortunate critter will enjoy it more than you.

To the north, a glinting beast comes into view.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The glinting beast bears down on you!
action: You go upward
response: You scramble up a chestnut tree.

Below, the glinting beast whizzes out of view.
action: You take morsel
response: You gingerly pick up the morsel of hard food with your teeth.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: Go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

The Provider arrives from the Aspens.

Your Rival crouches in the snow.
action: You drop morsel
response: Perhaps some unfortunate critter will enjoy it more than you.

The Provider is gathering wood.

Your Rival notices the hard food morsel, and swallows it whole.
action: You go to the southwest
response: It's not so easy to traipse past your Rival.

The Provider is gathering wood.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival makes his home. You can't help hunching your shoulders, and bracing for a sudden attack.

The Provider is gathering wood.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

Your Rival arrives from the Rival's Wood.
action: You go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

Looking back, you notice your Rival has abandoned the chase.
action: You go east
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

Your Rival crouches in the snow.
action: You go to the north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider arrives from the Aspens.

Your Rival arrives from the Snowy Maw.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

Looking back, you notice your Rival slavering over your food bowl.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry nothing between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You take the bark
response: You gingerly pick up the bark with your teeth.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

Your Rival arrives from the Food Room.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: Up
response: You leap up onto the ledge.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You enter the cupboard
response: The cupboard is currently shut.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You open the cupboard
response: You pry open the cupboard with your paw.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You enter the cupboard
response: You leap up into the cupboard...

Food Room (in the cupboard)
Within the close, heavy shadows, it's difficult to separate the commingled scents. Most of the arranged boxes appear to contain a Provider version of hard food. Indeed, your very own monstrous sack of hard food stands nearby.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: Go downwards
response: You leap down from the cupboard to the ledge.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You go north
response: You'll have to get off the ledge first.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: Go downwards
response: You leap from the ledge to the floor.

Your Rival is eating from your food bowl.
action: You go to the north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider heads toward the Food Room.

Looking back, you notice your Rival slavering over your food bowl.
action: You take the log
response: The log has rotted away much of its weight. It's still too heavy to lift, but you might be able to get it rolling.
action: Roll log east
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.
action: Roll log sw
response: You can't even go that way!

Your Rival arrives from the Aspens.
action: You give the log to Rival
response: (first taking the buzzing log)
The log has rotted away much of its weight. It's still too heavy to lift, but you might be able to get it rolling.

Your Rival crouches in the snow.
action: You roll the log rival
response: ** Run-time error: Rival's Wood (object number 98)  has no property <number 0> to read **
That's not a direction.

Your Rival growls menacingly. You'd better leave soon.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a sizable piece of bark, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.
action: You drop all
response: (the morsel of hard food)
Perhaps some unfortunate critter will enjoy it more than you.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is preparing food.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You go to the east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

You can also see a morsel of hard food and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You put the bark on the hole
response: You cover the hole with the piece of bark.
action: You put Food on bark
response: You put the morsel of hard food on the bark.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

A sizable piece of bark nearly conceals a hole in the snow. Resting on the bark is a morsel of hard food.
action: You put the snow on the hole
response: But the bark is covering the hole.
action: You get the snow
response: It only melts in your mouth.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

You can also see a mound of snow here.

The Provider arrives from the Clearing.
action: You remove the mound
response: (first taking the mound of snow)
That's fixed in place.

The Provider is gathering wood.
action: You take the snow
response: It only melts in your mouth.

The Provider is gathering wood.
action: Dig
response: You scrape away the mound of snow, revealing the bark.

The Provider stumbles into the snow hole!
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider glares at you. You're not sure if this is because he fell into a snow hole, because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: You go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood, a buzzing log and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: Roll log east
response: You roll the log in front of you, carefull to avoid the gathering swarm of insects.

Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

A sizable piece of bark nearly conceals a hole in the snow. Resting on the bark is a morsel of hard food.
action: You get Food
response: (first dropping the bark)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the morsel of hard food with your teeth.

The Provider arrives from the Rival's Wood.
action: You take Food
response: You gingerly pick up the morsel of hard food with your teeth.

The Provider is gathering wood.
action: You put the bark on the hole
response: You cover the hole with the piece of bark.

The Provider is gathering wood.
action: You cover the hole with the bark
response: But the bark is covering the hole.

The Provider heads toward the Clearing.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

A sizable piece of bark nearly conceals a hole in the snow.

You can also see a buzzing log here.
action: You get the bark
response: (first dropping the morsel of hard food)
Perhaps some unfortunate critter will enjoy it more than you.

You pick up the bark, revealing the hole in the snow.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 30 out of a possible 100, in 166 turns, earning you the rank of domestic.

The score is made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)
2 safely opening the blinds
8 waking the Provider unawares
4 eating hard food
8 finding sundry items

30 total (out of 100)
action: You look
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

You can also see a mound of snow (on which is a morsel of hard food) here.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Your Rival charges, grazing you with his claws!
action: You go to the north
response: The Provider's cottage is that way, but you can't enter it from here.

You falter in the face of your Rival's ferocious charge. He pins you to the ground, mauling your face and underbelly. You struggle, but are helpless beneath him. You're dimly aware of him as he saunters away, leaving you for dead in the reddening snow. You only hope you freeze to death before the vermin and insects arrive.
action: Go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

You can also see a mound of snow (on which is a morsel of hard food) here.

Your Rival arrives from the Rival's Wood.
action: Go south
response: A shadowy, east-west path snakes through a tangle of gnarled oaks and elms. Somewhere in this ancient forest, your Rival once made his home. It's a pleasure to explore it unhindered.
action: Go southwest
response: As you climb over the embankment, something scuttles behind a stone.

Nestled under a southfacing embankment, there are actually patches of bare sand along this stony beach. The stream runs swiftly past, buffeting ice floes against the shore.

Something scurries nearby.

The sun shines high overhead.
action: Growl
response: You growl and hiss, but to no avail.

You detect an earthy draft.
action: Smell
response: The scent of animal life is strongest near a jumble of boulders.
action: You keep going
response: The scent of animal life is strongest near a jumble of boulders.

You detect an earthy draft.
action: Smell
response: The scent of animal life is strongest near a jumble of boulders.

Something scurries nearby.
action: You examine the boulders
response: Boulders and stones lie jumbled under an overhang. It's difficult to decide which of the innumerable interconnecting nooks and shadows to explore.
action: You listen
response: Not focussing on anything in particular, the rush of the stream predominates.

Something scurries nearby.
action: You listen to boulders
response: An earthy draft emanates from somewhere in the shadows.

You detect an earthy draft.
action: You examine something
response: The shadows beneath the jumble of boulders faintly echo with tiny, pitter-pattering feet.

Something scurries nearby.

Whatever it was, it's undetectable now.
action: You get the rocks
response: The stones are too heavy to carry.

You detect an earthy draft.
action: Smell shadows
response: You sniff out a dung-scented nook.

Something scurries nearby.
action: You enter the nook
response: You squeeze into a small opening...

Through a network of burrows and tiny side-passages, a larger tunnel winds northward. Your whiskers indicate even it may be impassable. The air is scarce, the earth close and unstable. With no room to turn around, perhaps you should just back out the way you came in.
action: You go north
response: The tunnel bends upward. You welcome the plentiful, if musty, air...

Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect a sliver of light beneath a huge western door. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.
action: You examine the carton
response: Numerous cartons, barrels, and other useless containers are haphazardly arranged beneath a high shelf. A wicker basket does, however, catch your eye.
action: You examine basket
response: It's compact yet capacious, and currently contains a small white box and a jangly ring. You might be able to get your teeth around its sturdy handle.
action: You look at the box
response: Its central (and only) feature is a large button.
action: You look at the handle
response: It's compact yet capacious, and currently contains a small white box and a jangly ring. You might be able to get your teeth around its sturdy handle.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases. You notice a glint of light near the bottom of the door.
action: You examine the glint
response: Several bolts protrude near the bottom of the door.
action: You get the bolt
response: The protruding bolts are up near the ceiling.
action: You get the box
response: You gingerly pick up the small white box with your teeth.
action: You examine the shelf
response: Steeped in shadow.
action: You get the handle
response: (first dropping the small white box)
Dropped.

Clamping down on its handle, you pick up the wicker basket.

As the huge door comes to a close, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.
action: You put box in the basket
response: You put the small white box into the wicker basket.
action: You get the basket
response: Clamping down on its handle, you pick up the wicker basket.
action: You examine beast
response: You've heard such beasts rumble, sigh, bleat, and stampede. This one is quiet, and perhaps ill. He appears to be bleeding from his underside.
action: You look under the beast
response: You crawl under the beast for a closer look...

Shiny, intertwined tubes--presumably his exposed entrails--hang from the underside of the beast. From one of his stomachs, he slowly bleeds.

A pool of clear liquid shimmers on the floor.
action: You look at the liquid
response: The pool is slowly fed by the beast's dripping entrails.
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 50 out of a possible 100, in 215 turns, earning you the rank of stalker.

The score is made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)
2 safely opening the blinds
8 waking the Provider unawares
4 eating hard food
15 driving off your Rival
8 finding sundry items
5 visiting various places

50 total (out of 100)
action: You look
response: Shiny, intertwined tubes--presumably his exposed entrails--hang from the underside of the beast. From one of his stomachs, he slowly bleeds.

A pool of clear liquid shimmers on the floor.
action: You examine the underside
response: Intertwining tubes connect four rubbery legs to the underside of the beast. His many stomachs are also linked by knots of shiny entrails.
action: Go upward
response: The beast's entrails are intertwined too tightly.
action: Go outside
response: You crawl out from under the glinting beast...

Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect a sliver of light beneath a huge western door. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.
action: You examine the shelf
response: Steeped in shadow.
action: Examine barrel
response: Numerous cartons, barrels, and other useless containers are haphazardly arranged beneath a high shelf.
action: You stand on the barrel
response: You get onto the cartons.
action: You hold the door
response: The huge door is currently out of reach.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases. You notice a glint of light near the bottom of the door.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You carry a wicker basket between your teeth.
In the wicker basket are a small white box and a jangly ring.
You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.
action: You look at the ring
response: A dozen or more jagged, silvery leaves jangle on a ring. You find it to be a compelling toy.
action: You get the door
response: The huge door is currently out of reach.

As the huge door comes to a close, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.
action: Hang
response: What do you want to hang?
action: Yourself
response: What do you want to hang yourself on?
action: You look around
response: Beast's Cave (on the cartons)
Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the sunlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases. You notice a glint of light near the bottom of the door.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

As the huge door comes to a close, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.
action: You hang the basket on the bolts
response: You hang the basket on one of the protruding bolts.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases. You notice a glint of light near the bottom of the door.
action: You enter the basket
response: (getting off the cartons)
You get into the wicker basket.

In the wicker basket you can see a jangly ring.
action: Oops button
response: "Click."
You hear a low mechanical growl as the huge door begins to slide upward, and bend beneath the ceiling. You are being carried towards the ceiling!
action: Inventory
response: You carry a small white box between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.

Cave Ceiling (in the wicker basket)
Suspended by runners on either side, the huge door lies flat. There's enough space to walk on top of it, although the ceiling is damp and cluttered with cobwebs. To the east, something glimmers on a shadowy shelf.

In the wicker basket you can see a jangly ring.
action: You go to the east
response: You'll have to get out of the wicker basket first.
action: You go outside
response: You scramble out of the basket, and up onto the huge door.
action: You go east
response: You leap onto the shelf...

Stack upon stack, row upon row, of flat, shiny eggs crowd this dark shelf. The eggs shimmer like magic vessels. You can't help but contemplate their sealed contents.

You can see a fresh drop of saliva here.
action: You examine the egg
response: They're flat on the top and bottom, and round on the sides. You're certain they contain soft food, but not sure how to crack open their cold shells.
action: You get the egg
response: You pick up an egg by clamping on a shiny ring attached to its top.
action: You go west
response: You leap atop the huge door...

Suspended by runners on either side, the huge door lies flat. There's enough space to walk on top of it, although the ceiling is damp and cluttered with cobwebs. To the east, something glimmers on a shadowy shelf.

A wicker basket hangs from the west end of the door.
action: You run it over with the the car
response: That could be dangerous.

You can't see "it" (the wicker basket) at the moment.
action: You jump
response: You spring into the air, and just for the joy of jumping!
action: You enter the basket
response: You get into the wicker basket.

In the wicker basket you can see a small white box and a jangly ring.
action: You open the egg
response: Whisker and paw! You're not sure how!
action: You open the can with ring
response: (the jangly ring)
(first taking the jangly ring)
(first dropping the flat shiny egg)
Dropped.

That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock.
action: You take the box
response: (first dropping the jangly ring)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the small white box with your teeth.
action: You enter the basket
response: You get into the wicker basket.

In the wicker basket you can see a jangly ring and a flat shiny egg.
action: You go outside
response: The motion of the basket knocks you off-balance.

As the huge door comes to a close, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.

Beast's Cave (in the wicker basket)
Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect a sliver of light beneath a huge western door. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

In the wicker basket you can see a jangly ring and a flat shiny egg.
action: You get the egg
response: (first dropping the small white box)
Dropped.

Clamping your teeth on its shiny ring, you pick up the egg.
action: Leave
response: You get out of the wicker basket.

Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect a sliver of light beneath a huge western door. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

A wicker basket is hooked onto a bolt near the bottom of the door.
action: You get the egg
response: (first dropping the small white box)
Dropped.

Clamping your teeth on its shiny ring, you pick up the egg.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases. You notice a glint of light near the bottom of the door.
action: You put the egg in the door
response: The huge door is up near the ceiling.
action: You go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

A cloud shields the sun in the western sky.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry a flat shiny egg between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider grumbles at you. You're not sure if this is because he spotted you with the shiny egg, because he fell into a snow hole, because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You go to the south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.
action: You go south
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

Hovering against the ceiling is a red balloon.

You can also see a strip of kindling here.
action: Go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

You can also see a hole (in which are a morsel of hard food and a buzzing log) here.

The Provider is gathering wood.
action: You give can to Provider
response: The Provider seems surprised that you're carrying around the flat shiny egg.
action: Meow
response: The Provider growls at you. You're not sure if this is because he spotted you with the shiny egg, because he fell into a snow hole, because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider arrives from the Aspens.
action: You put the can on the axe
response: Putting things on the axe would achieve nothing.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.
action: Go north
response: A slatted fence bars your way.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.
action: You put the can on the stump
response: You put the flat shiny egg on the stump.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You take the egg
response: Clamping your teeth on its shiny ring, you pick up the egg.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.
action: You listen
response: You hear a boy laughing and frolicking beyond the fence.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.
action: You get the balloon
response: (first dropping the flat shiny egg)
Dropped.

The balloon dances in the air as you snare its string in your teeth.
action: Go north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

The Provider is resting on the stump.
action: You drop the balloon
response: The balloon begins to float away!

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You examine the balloon
response: A string dangles from an obviously buoyant balloon.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

The balloon rises up and away, disappearing to the south.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You look around
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a pile of wood and a hole (which is empty) here.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.

You hear high-pitched laughter beyond the fence.
action: You check your inventory
response: You carry a red balloon, its string between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.

Splinters fly as the Provider splits wood with an axe.
action: You go south
response: You squeeze the balloon through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.
action: You go to the south
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

You can see a flat shiny egg and a strip of kindling here.
action: You get the egg
response: (first dropping the red balloon)
The balloon floats up to the ceiling.

Clamping your teeth on its shiny ring, you pick up the egg.
action: You tie the egg to the balloon
response: Clumsily, you coax the twig through the shiny ring. After several attempts, the twig pops through and catches hold. The flat shiny egg is now fastened to the balloon.
action: You go to the north
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is bent over the alcove.
action: Go south
response: You enjoy curling up in the blankets' warm folds. Light streams down through an eastern window. A mingling of faded scents lure you northward.

Hovering nearby is a weighted balloon.

You can also see a strip of kindling here.
action: You get balloon
response: The balloon dances in the air as you snare its string in your teeth.
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes.

The Provider is bent over the alcove.
action: Go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a pile of wood here.

The Provider reaches in from the east, arranging the pile of wood.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The Provider reaches in from the east, arranging the pile of wood.
action: Go up
response: You claw your way up the stone chute...

The pitched roof of the Provider's cottage affords an excellent view of the surrounding valley. A stream winds through forest to the east and south, while a woodland trail to the west links scattered farmhouses, such as the neighboring one beyond a fence to the north.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows west.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows south.
action: Wave
response: You wave, feeling foolish.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows south.
action: Inventory
response: You carry a weighted balloon, its string between your teeth. You are also sated (though not satisfied), and covered in pale ash.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows west.
action: Meow
response: You mew loudly, plaintively.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows north.
action: You drop the balloon
response: The wind carries the red balloon north towards the Clearing. The flat shiny egg slowly pulls it earthward. You watch with fascination as the shiny egg clears the fence by the width of your whiskers. A delighted boy runs to capture the descending red balloon.
action: You jump
response: You spring into the air, and just for the joy of jumping!

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows west.
action: You jump off the roof
response: But you aren't in anything at the moment.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows south.

The sun sets behind a pink cloud in the western sky.
action: Go north
response: The roof slopes steeply in every direction.

You can see the boy to the north.

The wind blows south.
action: You go down
response: You come crashing down the chute into a pile of wood...

Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a pile of wood here.

The Provider grumbles at you. You're not sure if this is because you disrupted his wood pile, because he spotted you with the shiny egg, because he fell into a snow hole, because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: Go east
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider lunges after you, then clutches his breast and steadies himself.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

Was that a dark shape scuttling in the snow?
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider lunges after you, but looks rather whoozy.
action: Meow
response: The Provider growls at you. You're not sure if this is because you disrupted his wood pile, because he spotted you with the shiny egg, because he fell into a snow hole, because you stole a strip of kindling, because you tracked snow into the cottage, because you failed to defend your food bowl, because you stirred up a swarm of insects, because he suspects you brought a bird into the house, because you mewed excessively, or because you scattered ash everywhere.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The Provider lunges after you, only to be overcome by a fit of hacking and wheezing.
action: Go north
response: You bump into a sooty stone wall.

The Provider reaches in from the east, arranging the pile of wood.
action: Go east
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is bent over the alcove.
action: You look at the shape
response: There's nothing there now, if there ever was.

You hear a low-pitched growl.

The sun sets behind a pink cloud in the western sky.
action: You listen
response: Perhaps the growl was only your stomach.

A faint, improbable scent rides the wind.
action: Go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

On the floor, lies your food bowl, full of hard food.

You can also see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is bent over the alcove.
action: You get kindling
response: You gingerly pick up the kindling with your teeth.
action: You go to the north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

Did a dark shape scuttle behind you?
action: You go to the east
response: Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the sunlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a small white box here.
action: You look under the basket
response: The wicker basket is up near the ceiling.
action: You look under the car
response: You crawl under the beast for a closer look...

Shiny, intertwined tubes--presumably his exposed entrails--hang from the underside of the beast. From one of his stomachs, he slowly bleeds.

A pool of clear liquid shimmers on the floor.
action: You put kindling in the liquid
response: You drop the kindling into the pool.
action: Go outside
response: You crawl out from under the glinting beast...

Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the sunlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a small white box here.
action: You go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.
action: You go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a hole (which is empty) here.

Did a dark shape scuttle behind you?
action: You look at the shape
response: There's nothing there now, if there ever was.

You hear a malicious, low-pitched growl.
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes.
action: You hit the fence
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

Your nostrils detect that improbable scent again.
action: Smell
response: That's strange. For a moment you thought you smelled your Rival.
action: Go north
response: A slatted fence bars your way.

You hear a malicious, low-pitched growl.
action: You go east
response: Overlooked by a high window of the Provider's cottage, a trail follows a north-south stream through a grove of aspens.

You can also see a hole (in which are a morsel of hard food and a buzzing log) here.
action: Meow
response: You watch the boy through the fence. He runs crazy circles in the snow, tugging the red balloon behind him. With a cry of joy the boy runs toward you. You hear a familiar "Thuck!" as he cracks open the shiny egg. Clambering halfway up, the boy is barely able to reach over the fence. Your eyes never leave the open shell of soft food as it falls and lands upright in the snow beside you.

Your nostrils detect that improbable scent again.
action: You get Food
response: That's plainly inedible.
action: You eat Food
response: (first dropping the kindling)
Dropped.

A blend of tuna and chicken livers, your entire consciousness swims in its taste, texture, and smell. You lap up its succulent juices, and slaver down every delectable mouthful. After a moment of complete rapture, you find yourself staring into an empty shell, grease dripping from your whiskers.

Smoke rises from the cottage chimney.
action: Examine can
response: Alas, it's empty.

Smoke rises from the cottage chimney.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

Hearing the flap close behind you, the Provider rises from his newly lit fire, and angrily approaches. You wonder if you've finally driven him insane. As you turn to retreat, both you and your Provider are startled by what emerges through the flap.

First, a creature's swollen head pushes through, then its matted, bloodied body. Its eyes burn with hatred as it drags a lame leg through the opening. Thorns and stingers are knotted in its fur, embedded and broken off in numerous sores.

The Provider shoos the hideous creature toward the flap, but it only growls with increasing resolve. The Provider lunges for the creature, then pauses dreamily as if staring at something distant. He gasps, clutches his breast, and collapses on the floor.

The creature sniffs your fallen Provider, then closes in on you.
action: You eat provider
response: The creature's relentless claws interrupt you.

Sprawled on the floor is your Provider.

The creature rakes you, drawing fresh blood.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a strip of kindling, a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.

The creature follows you.

A thousand stars shimmer in a moonlit sky.
action: Meow
response: You watch the boy through the fence. He runs crazy circles in the snow, tugging the red balloon behind him.

The creature closes in on you.
action: You get kindling
response: The creature's relentless claws interrupt you.

The creature rakes you, drawing fresh blood.
action: You get kindling
response: The creature's relentless claws interrupt you.

The creature closes in on you.
action: You get kindling
response: You gingerly pick up the kindling with your teeth.

Smoke rises from the cottage chimney.

Your nostrils detect that improbable scent again.
action: Go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

Hearing the flap close behind you, the Provider rises from his newly lit fire, and angrily approaches. You wonder if you've finally driven him insane. As you turn to retreat, you are so startled by what emerges through the flap that you drop the kindling.

First, a creature's swollen head pushes through, then its matted, bloodied body. Its eyes burn with hatred as it drags a lame leg through the opening. Thorns and stingers are knotted in its fur, embedded and broken off in numerous sores.

The Provider shoos the hideous creature toward the flap, but it only growls with increasing resolve. The Provider lunges for the creature, then pauses dreamily as if staring at something distant. He gasps, clutches his breast, and collapses on the floor.

The creature sniffs your fallen Provider, then closes in on you.
action: Go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a crackling wood fire here.

The creature follows you.
action: You examine creature
response: Its swollen eyes burn with hatred. Though mingled with an otherworldliness, and a stewing putrefaction, its scent is unmistakably your Rival's.

Sprawled on the floor is your Provider.

No match for the creature claw to claw, its relentless attack overwhelms you. You are numbly aware of your belly being lashed open. You smell the monster's putrefying flesh, and the rot of its breath. Its swollen eyes glower for a moment before its jaws close on your throat.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.

The creature follows you.

A thousand stars shimmer in a moonlit sky.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

The creature follows you.
action: Go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

The creature follows you.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The creature closes in on you.

To the north, a pair of headlights comes into view.
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes.

The creature rakes you, drawing fresh blood.

The pair of headlights bears down on you!
action: Go up
response: You scramble up a chestnut tree, pieces of bark falling beneath you.

Below, the creature stands frozen in the oncoming headlights. You catch a glint of fear in his swollen, tortured eye as the thundering headlights close in on him, carrying him swiftly and mercifully into oblivion.
action: Go downwards
response: You leap down off the chestnut tree.
action: You go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You go to the south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a strip of kindling and a yellow feather here.

Sprawled on the floor is your Provider.
action: You get kindling
response: You gingerly pick up the kindling with your teeth.

The Provider gasps.
action: You wake provider
response: But how?

The Provider gasps.
action: Meow
response: The Provider hardly stirs.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: Nuzzle provider
response: You nudge the Provider, but he doesn't stir.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: You go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a crackling wood fire here.
action: You put the kindling in the fire
response: You put the kindling on the crackling wood fire.
The kindling begins to burn.
action: Go upwards
response: The fire is too hot to risk the climb.
action: You go east
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: Light Provider
response: There's no obvious fire source.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: You examine the kindling
response: The kindling smoulders on one end.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: Light Provider with kindling
response: The smouldering kindling is not a fire source.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: Hit provider
response: First you take a tentative bite. Several more bites, and the Provider sleeps on. He's fairly tasty! Over the next few days, you manage to eat most of him. But when the insects arrive you flee to Rival's old wood to hunt fresh game. It's a savage fate for your poor master. But you have to admit that--even to the bitter end--he was always a Provider.
action: You go to the east
response: Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the moonlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a small white box here.
action: You look under the car
response: You crawl under the beast for a closer look...

Shiny, intertwined tubes--presumably his exposed entrails--hang from the underside of the beast. From one of his stomachs, he slowly bleeds.

A pool of clear liquid shimmers on the floor.
action: You put the kindling in the liquid
response: You hear a tremendous rush and roar of wind as the flames leap to life. You feel an unbearable heat as you're consumed by the fire. There's nowhere to go, no air to breath, and the flames are all around you.
action: Go outside
response: You crawl out from under the glinting beast...

Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the moonlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a small white box here.
action: You look under the car
response: You crawl under the beast for a closer look...

Shiny, intertwined tubes--presumably his exposed entrails--hang from the underside of the beast. From one of his stomachs, he slowly bleeds.

A pool of clear liquid shimmers on the floor.

You can also see a strip of smouldering kindling here.
action: You get kindling
response: You gingerly pick up the smouldering kindling with your teeth.
action: Go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

The Provider is turning blue.
action: You put the shirt on the fire
response: You put the flannel shirt on the crackling wood fire.
The flannel shirt begins to burn.
action: You get the shirt
response: You retrieve the flannel shirt from the fire. It's a little scorched, but essentially undamaged.
action: Inventory
response: You carry a flannel shirt between your teeth. You are also well-fed, and bleeding badly.
action: You look at the shirt
response: The flannel shirt is engulfed in flame.
action: Go east
response: Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

The Provider's breath grows faint.
action: Go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.
action: Go east
response: Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the moonlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a strip of smouldering kindling and a small white box here.
action: You put the shirt in the pool
response: The flannel shirt soaks up much of the clear pool's liquid.
action: You get the shirt
response: You already have that.
action: Go outside
response: You crawl out from under the glinting beast...

Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the moonlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a strip of smouldering kindling and a small white box here.
action: You hang the shirt on the bolts
response: The protruding bolts are up near the ceiling.
action: You examine the shirt
response: A bit smelly, perhaps, but you love to nap in its soft folds. The sodden flannel shirt is drenched with a noxious liquid.
action: Go north
response: You can't go that way.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases. You notice a glint of light near the bottom of the door.
action: Go east
response: Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the moonlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a sodden flannel shirt, a strip of smouldering kindling and a small white box here.
action: You go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a sodden flannel shirt, a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You get the shirt
response: (first dropping the smouldering kindling)
Dropped.

You gingerly pick up the sodden flannel shirt with your teeth.
action: Go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

The Provider's breath grows faint.
action: You go west
response: Charcoal-stained stones form a shadowy alcove that culminates in a chute overhead. The strong smell of smoke is rivalled by more savory scents to the east.

You can see a crackling wood fire here.
action: You put the shirt on the fire
response: You put the sodden flannel shirt on the crackling wood fire.

You're nearly knocked off your paws by the rush of wind as the sodden flannel shirt ignites. Great greedy tongues of flame reach for the walls and ceiling. You're lucky to escape with only your whiskers singed.

Soon a great mewing beast arrives to fight the flames. It seems that everyone in the valley comes to watch the inferno that was your home. You slink guiltily into the woods, surprised at how deeply you miss your Provider.
action: You look at the wood
response: The kindling smoulders on one end.
action: You get the shirt
response: You singe you whiskers before you even get close to the fire.

A flaming shirt is ablaze with hungry, high-reaching flames.
action: Go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You can also see a sizable piece of bark here.
action: You drop the shirt
response: Dropped.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the north.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a strip of smouldering kindling, a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.
action: You get kindling
response: You gingerly pick up the smouldering kindling with your teeth.
action: You go west
response: A north-south trail runs beneath a canopy of chestnut trees. You've seen giant glinting beasts stampede here, especially in the mornings and evenings. A lesser track leads east.

You can also see a sodden flannel shirt and a sizable piece of bark here.

You hear a distant rumbling approaching from the south.
action: You put the kindling on shirt
response: The sodden flannel shirt bursts into flame!

To the south, a pair of headlights comes into view.
action: Go upwards
response: You scramble up a chestnut tree.

A flaming shirt is ablaze with hungry, high-reaching flames.

The approaching pair of headlights slows down.
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes.

The flaming shirt is ablaze with hungry, high-reaching flames.

The headlights cease their approach, and a figure emerges from the darkness.
action: Go downward
response: You leap down off the chestnut tree.

The flaming shirt burns heartily.

A figure is here, waving around a beam of light.
action: You look at the figure
response: The figure wields a beam of light.

The flaming shirt burns heartily.
action: You eat figure
response: He's plainly inedible.

The flaming shirt still illuminates the area, but is burning itself out.

A figure is here, waving around a beam of light.
action: You hit figure
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

The flaming shirt still illuminates the area, but is burning itself out.

A figure is here, waving around a beam of light.
action: Growl
response: You growl and hiss, but to no avail.

The flaming shirt consumes itself, its ashes scattering into nothing.

A figure is here, waving around a beam of light.
action: Meow
response: Shining his light on you, the figure bends over, and strokes you behind the ears.
action: Go north
response: You wander north a ways before turning back.

The figure scans the area near you with a beam of light.
action: You go east
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

The figure follows you from the Canopy Trail.
action: Go north
response: A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.

The figure follows you from the Snowy Maw.
action: You go to the south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

You can see a yellow feather here.

The Provider's breath grows faint.

Someone is rattling the front door.
action: You go north
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

A tree stump pokes through the otherwise unbroken blanket of soft, powdery snow. A slatted fence traverses the snow to the north, while the cottage entrance lies southward.

You can see a shiny empty shell and a hole (which is empty) here.

The figure scans the area near you with a beam of light.
action: You go to the west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

The figure follows you from the Clearing.
action: Go east
response: Beside an open crack in the floor stands a glinting beast, the centerpiece of this dusty vault. Its glassy eyes and shiny skin reflect the moonlight that streams through an opening to the west. Various cartons and barrels are stacked against the opposite wall.

Above, a wicker basket dangles from the huge door.

You can see a small white box here.

The figure follows you from the Snowy Maw.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

As the huge door comes to a close, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.

The figure scans the area near you with a beam of light.
action: You get the keys
response: You gingerly pick up the jangly ring with your teeth.

The figure scans the area near you with a beam of light.
action: Go west
response: To the east, icicles hang like fangs within a giant maw of snow. A large pair of matching tracks lead out of shadows of the snowy mouth and to the west. A path loops north and south.

As the huge door opens completely, the mechanical growl abruptly ceases.

The figure follows you from the Beast's Cave.
action: You give the keys to the figure
response: The figure accepts the keys.
action: You go south
response: You duck through the flap in the front door...

Here the Provider divines food from the cupboard's magic containers, and prepares it on the ledge above you like only a Provider can. It seems that all roads lead to your food bowl: there's an alcove to the west, a small flap northward, a lumpy mountain to the east, and a pile of blankets southward.

Your fallen Provider lies oddly still.

As the figure steps through the door, he turns toward your fallen Provider, and hurries to his side. A short while later, a loud and horrible mewing approaches, and the white-furred ones come to take your Provider away. You're sorry to see him go. He was all hisses and growls, but he was a Provider nonetheless.

You eventually devour the mountain of hard food, and take to Rival's old wood. As the weeks pass, you hunt with greater relish; in the shadows, or from an overhanging limb, you watch and you wait with heightened senses. One day, having nearly forgotten him, you spy your Provider rolling into the cottage on a shiny stool. He no longer grunts or glares at you; instead, he sits all day on his shiny stool, gazing sadly into the confusing box.

As winter warms over, the Provider begins to invite you onto his lap for a ride to the aspens, or through the ferns emerging on the forest floor. You hunt the golden-feathered bird and chase new rivals from across the stream. He strokes your fur, even croons to you. During such moments, you do something you haven't done in a long time. You purr.
action: Full
response: In that game you scored 100 out of a possible 100, in 501 turns, earning you the rank of contentment.

The score was made up as follows:

6 hunting a bird (and nearly being successful)
2 safely opening the blinds
8 waking the Provider unawares
4 eating hard food
15 driving off your Rival
5 ascending a garage door
15 eating soft food
8 leading your Rival to a merciful end
8 building a beacon in the road
10 saving your Provider
12 finding sundry items
5 visiting various places

100 total (out of 100)

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT?