Macaroni & the Golden Ball of Yarn

It is raining outside. Tap, tap, tap. Macaroni scratches at the baseboard. 'Scratch, scratch!' Suddenly a hidden door opens. A warm glow shines inside, and you hear laughter. Macaroni flicks his tail and slips through. "You coming?" he meows. [[Crawl in quickly after Macaroni->Bold Entrance]] [[Press your ear to the door to listen first->Listening First]] [[Grab a cookie from your desk and tuck it in your pocket->The Cookie Plan]]

You tumble through the doorway and land in a grand hall. [[Continue->Welcome (no item)]]

You press your ear to the door. Faint voices drift out: "Order! Order!" squawks a parrot. "Not until I get my snack!" barks a dog. A turtle snores loudly. You grin, then crawl inside. [[Continue->Welcome (no item)]]

You tuck the cookie safely into your pocket, then crawl after Macaroni into the glowing doorway. [[Continue->Welcome (cookie)]]

You stand in a **grand hall** where cats walk upright in tiny crowns. A banner reads: "Welcome to the Kingdom of Paws." Macaroni struts proudly. "I told them you'd come." The hall bustles with animals. Dogs in armor march. Parrots gossip. A turtle snores. Macaroni nudges you. "We should make friends." [[Approach the dog knights->Dog Knights (no item)]] [[Wave at the parrots->Parrots Hall (no item)]] [[Poke the sleepy turtle->Turtle Hall (no item)]]

You stand in a **grand hall** where cats walk upright in tiny crowns. A banner reads: "Welcome to the Kingdom of Paws." Macaroni struts proudly. "I told them you'd come." The hall bustles with animals. Dogs in armor march. Parrots gossip. A turtle snores. Macaroni nudges you. "We should make friends." [[Approach the dog knights->Dog Knights (cookie)]] [[Wave at the parrots->Parrots Hall (cookie)]] [[Poke the sleepy turtle->Turtle Hall (cookie)]]

The dogs salute you with wagging tails. One sneezes in excitement. "Woof! You'll need courage!" A bell rings. "To the Council! To the Council!" You and Macaroni follow the dogs into the Great Chamber. [[Continue->Council (no item)]]

The parrots squawk "Cheeky human! Cheeky human!" and flap around you in a noisy circle. A bell rings. "To the Council! To the Council!" You and Macaroni trail the parrots into the Great Chamber. [[Continue->Council (no item)]]

The turtle cracks one eye. "Hmm? Oh. Fine, fine." He slides off his pillow and slowly leads the way. A bell rings. "To the Council! To the Council!" You and Macaroni follow the turtle into the Great Chamber. [[Continue->Council (no item)]]

The parrots squawk: "Cheeky human! Cheeky human!" and flap around you in a noisy circle. A bell rings. "To the Council! To the Council!" You and Macaroni trail the parrots into the Great Chamber. [[Continue->Council (cookie)]]

The turtle cracks one eye. "Hmm? Oh. Fine, fine." He slides off his throne and slowly leads the way. A bell rings. "To the Council! To the Council!" You and Macaroni follow the turtle into the Great Chamber. [[Continue->Council (cookie)]]

The Pet Council sits in a circle: cats on cushions, dogs on bones, parrots on perches. The Siamese leader with a golden bell raises her paw. The the room falls silent. "A human? Hmmm." The animals whisper. Macaroni purrs: "This one is different. Brave. Clever. And gives great snacks." The Siamese says "Our **Golden Ball of Yarn** has been stolen by the Mischief Rats. Without it, our kingdom unravels. Fetch it, and then we shall decide if you belong." [[Bow politely and agree->Accept Polite (no item)]] [[Shout, "We'll do it!" with Macaroni->Accept Bold (no item)]] [[Stay quiet while Macaroni speaks for you->Accept Silent (no item)]]

The Pet Council sits in a circle: cats on cushions, dogs on bones, parrots on perches. The Siamese leader with a golden bell raises her paw. The the room falls silent. "A human? Hmmm." The animals whisper. Macaroni purrs: "This one is different. Brave. Clever. And gives great snacks." The Siamese says "Our **Golden Ball of Yarn** has been stolen by the Mischief Rats. Without it, our kingdom unravels. Fetch it, and then we shall decide if you belong." [[Bow politely and agree->Accept Polite (cookie)]] [[Shout, \"We'll do it!\" with Macaroni->Accept Bold (cookie)]] [[Stay quiet while Macaroni speaks for you->Accept Silent (cookie)]]

The dogs bark in approval. "Respect!" [[Prepare for the journey->Prep Choice (no item)]]

The parrots echo: "Do it! Do it!" The hall chuckles. [[Prepare for the journey->Prep Choice (no item)]]

The Siamese tilts her head at your silence. Macaroni beams. "I told you I could do the talking." [[Prepare for the journey->Prep Choice (no item)]]

The dogs bark in approval. "Respect!" [[Prepare for the journey->Prep Choice (cookie)]]

The parrots echo: "Do it! Do it!" The hall chuckles. [[Prepare for the journey->Prep Choice (cookie)]]

The Siamese tilts her head at your silence. Macaroni beams. "I told you I could do the talking." [[Prepare for the journey->Prep Choice (cookie)]]

Outside, Macaroni whispers: "We should grab help before the barn." Two animals linger nearby: * **Perrin the Parrot**, fluffing his feathers. * **Harriet the Hippo**, adjusting her stack of books. You only have time for one. [[Talk to Perrin the Parrot->Parrot Gift (no item)]] [[Talk to Harriet the Hippo->Hippo Gift]]

Outside, Macaroni whispers: "We should grab help before the barn." Two animals linger nearby: * **Perrin the Parrot**, fluffing his feathers. * **Harriet the Hippo**, adjusting her stack of books. You only have time for one. [[Talk to Perrin the Parrot->Parrot Gift (cookie)]] [[Talk to Harriet the Hippo->Hippo Gift (cookie)]]

Perrin squawks, "Shiny! Shiny!" He drops a bright **feather** into your hand. "The Rat King can't resist!" [[Head out toward the barn->Journey (feather)]]

Harriet pushes her glasses up. "The barn is tricky. Take this **map**." She hands you a scroll marked with a big red X. [[Head out toward the barn->Journey (map)]]

Perrin squawks, "Shiny! Shiny!" He drops a bright **feather** into your hand. "The Rat King can't resist!" [[Head out toward the barn->Journey (cookie+feather)]]

Harriet pushes her glasses up. "The barn is tricky. Take this **map**." She hands you a scroll marked with a big red X. [[Head out toward the barn->Journey (cookie+map)]]

You and Macaroni set out. You come to a crooked dirt trail. Ahead, the path splits. One road curves left beneath tall trees. The other veers right, through scratchy branches. Macaroni flicks his tail. "Hmm. Left looks calm… right looks quicker, but yikes, all those branches." [[Take the left path under the trees->Left Path (feather)]] [[Take the right path through the branches->Right Path (feather)]]

You and Macaroni set out. You come to a crooked dirt trail. Ahead, the path splits. One road curves left beneath tall trees. The other veers right, through scratchy branches. Macaroni flicks his tail. "Hmm. Left looks calm… right looks quicker, but yikes, all those branches." [[Take the left path under the oaks->Left Path (map)]] [[Take the right path through the branches->Right Path (map)]] [[Unroll Harriet's map->Shortcut (map)]]

You and Macaroni set out. The stone streets give way to fields, then a crooked dirt trail. Ahead, the path splits. One road curves left beneath tall oak trees. The other veers right, through scratchy brambles. Macaroni flicks his tail. "Hmm. Left looks calm… right looks quicker, but yikes, all those thorns." [[Take the left path under the oaks->Left Path (cookie+feather)]] [[Take the right path through the brambles->Right Path (cookie+feather)]]

You and Macaroni set out. The stone streets give way to fields, then a crooked dirt trail. Ahead, the path splits. One road curves left beneath tall oak trees. The other veers right, through scratchy brambles. Macaroni checks Harriet's map. "It shows a shortcut… somewhere near that clump of grass." [[Take the left path under the oaks->Left Path (cookie+map)]] [[Take the right path through the brambles->Right Path (cookie+map)]] [[Unroll the map and follow the hidden shortcut->Shortcut (cookie+map)]]

You wave the bright feather. The rats squeal and flock to the shiny fluff. Macaroni pounces and pulls the yarn loose. [[Back to the Council->Return with Yarn (trick)]]

You toss your cookie. The rats squeal and chase the crumbs in a happy swarm. Macaroni darts up the heap and pulls the yarn free. [[Back to the Council->Return with Yarn (trick)]]

CRASH! Buttons scatter. Rats squeal, "My castle! We must put it back together!" Macaroni scrambles up the heap and grabs the yarn. [[Back to the Council->Return with Yarn (trick)]]

"Share?" The Rat King says. "No one has ever offered to share with us. Thank you! That sounds nice! Yu may have it for now. " He rolls the yarn toward you. [[Back to the Council->Return with Yarn (share)]]

"First to the haystack wins!" squeaks the Rat King. You sprint and get to the haystack a second before the Rat King. He hands you the yarn. "Great job. You have earned it." [[Back to the Council->Return with Yarn (race)]]

You march back into the Great Hall with the Golden Ball. Trumpets blare! The Siamese raises her paw. "You have proven yourself. Humans can be brave and kind. You belong here." The Council cheers and names you **Master of Clever Tricks**! [[Continue->END]]

You march back into the Great Hall with the Golden Ball. Trumpets blare! The Siamese raises her paw. "You have proven yourself. Humans can be brave and kind. You belong here." The Council smiles wide and names you **Friend of Rats**! [[Continue->END]]

You march back into the Great Hall with the Golden Ball. Trumpets blare! The Siamese raises her paw. "You have proven yourself. Humans can be brave and kind. You belong here." The Council roars and names you **Champion of Courage**! [[Continue->END]]

Macaroni purrs. "See? I told you we'd do it." The hidden door reappears. You step through, back into your room. The rain outside has stopped. In your pocket, you find a single golden thread… proof it was all real. The End.

(link: "Back")[(go-back:)]

The barn doors creak open. Piles of junk stretch to the rafters. At the top of the tallest heap sits the glowing **Golden Ball of Yarn**. Rats swarm the floor. The **Rat King** squeaks from his throne of buttons: "It's ours now! Why should we give it back?" Choose your plan: [[Knock over the button tower->Distraction]] [[Offer to share the yarn instead of fighting->Share]] [[Challenge the rats to a race->Race]] [[Wave your bright feather to distract the rats->Item Feather]]

The barn doors creak open. Piles of junk stretch to the rafters. At the top of the tallest heap sits the glowing **Golden Ball of Yarn**. Rats swarm the floor. The **Rat King** squeaks from his throne of bottle caps: "It's ours now! Why should we give it back?" Choose your plan: [[Knock over the button tower->Distraction]] [[Offer to share the yarn instead of fighting->Share]] [[Challenge the rats to a race->Race]] [[Use your cookie to lure the rats away->Item Cookie]]

The barn doors creak open. Piles of junk stretch to the rafters. At the top of the tallest heap sits the glowing **Golden Ball of Yarn**. Rats swarm the floor. The **Rat King** squeaks from his throne of bottle caps: "It's ours now! Why should we give it back?" Choose your plan: [[Knock over the button tower->Distraction]] [[Offer to share the yarn instead of fighting->Share]] [[Challenge the rats to a race->Race]]

You walk beneath the oaks. The trail twists and doubles back. It takes ages, but finally the barn's crooked roof peeks over the trees. [[Continue->Barn (feather)]]

You push into the branches. Thorns snag your clothes, and Macaroni grumbles. You get lost for a while but eventually find the right way out. [[Continue->Barn (feather)]]

You walk beneath the oaks. The trail twists and doubles back. It takes ages, but finally the barn's crooked roof peeks over the trees. Macaroni sighs. "At least we got there in one piece." [[Continue->Barn (cookie+feather)]]

You push into the branches. Thorns snag your clothes, and Macaroni grumbles. You get lost for a while but eventually find the right way out. [[Continue->Barn (cookie+feather)]]

You walk beneath the oaks. The trail twists and doubles back. It takes ages, but finally the barn's crooked roof peeks over the trees. [[Continue->Barn (map)]]

You push into the branches. Thorns snag your clothes, and Macaroni grumbles. You get lost for a while but eventually find the right way out. [[Continue->Barn (map)]]

You open Harriet's map and duck into the tall grass where the map shows a hidden trail. It weaves neatly past the oaks and branches. Soon, the barn looms right ahead. Macaroni beams. "Harriet's map was gold! We made it faster than a catnap." [[Continue->Barn (map)]]

You walk beneath the oaks. The trail twists and doubles back. It takes ages, but finally the barn's crooked roof peeks over the trees. [[Continue->Barn (cookie+map)]]

You push into the branches. Thorns snag your clothes, and Macaroni grumbles. You get lost for a while but eventually find the right way out. [[Continue->Barn (cookie+map)]]

The barn doors creak open. Piles of junk stretch to the rafters. At the top of the tallest heap sits the glowing **Golden Ball of Yarn**. Rats swarm the floor. The **Rat King** squeaks from his throne of buttons: "It's ours now! Why should we give it back?" Choose your plan: [[Knock over the button tower->Distraction]] [[Offer to share the yarn instead of fighting->Share]] [[Challenge the rats to a race->Race]] [[Use your cookie to lure the rats away->Item Cookie]]

Join our Email list!