text: [Themes: anthropomorphised animals, cute, kid-friendly, nonhuman protagonist, gender-neutral protagonist, small town]
  
  Special thanks to Andy Fleming, Lorne Harris, and Brian Rushton for testing, and to Nadia Bellazola for cover art.
  
  You are at the main entrance to the town of Fairview. A large gate leads out of town to the south, and a short path runs north to Primrose Street.
  
  A well-dressed owl paces back and forth, murmuring worriedly. "Greetings!" he says in a deep voice. "I am Alfred P. Owl, the mayor of Fairview. Oh, it's an awful situation. Throughout our town, the animals have problems, very serious problems. Please, please help us!" He clasps his wings imploringly. "Come back after you have helped at least five of our hapless residents."
  
  [Author's Note: Help the unfortunate residents of Fairview! (Who are all animals, by the way.) A light puzzle for all ages.]
  
  > go north
  This cobbled street runs east and west, and a path leads south to the town gate.
  
  > Y.
  debugcheapnitfol quit with exit status: 0
  
  Special thanks to Andy Fleming, Lorne Harris, and Brian Rushton for testing, and to Nadia Bellazola for cover art.
  
  You are at the main entrance to the town of Fairview. A large gate leads out of town to the south, and a short path runs north to Primrose Street.
  
  A well-dressed owl paces back and forth, murmuring worriedly. "Greetings!" he says in a deep voice. "I am Alfred P. Owl, the mayor of Fairview. Oh, it's an awful situation. Throughout our town, the animals have problems, very serious problems. Please, please help us!" He clasps his wings imploringly. "Come back after you have helped at least five of our hapless residents."
  
  > go north
  This cobbled street runs east and west, and a path leads south to the town gate.
  
  > Go east
  The cobbled street ends here at a tall fence.
  
  A white umbrella is leaning against the fence. You take it!
  
  > take the umbrella
  You won't need to GET or TAKE things in this game. (If something is worth taking, you'll do it automatically.)
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying a white umbrella.
  
  > go to the west
  This cobbled street runs east and west, and a path leads south to the town gate.
  
  > Go west
  Primrose Street ends here in a cul-de-sac. You see a shop to the south and an empty lot to the north.
  
  > go south
  The walls of this small shop are lined with tools. A sign hanging in front of the counter says, "Today's Sale: Hammers only five bucks!"
  
  A doe sits behind the counter, filing her hoof with an emery board. She looks up. "Hi hon, I'm Janice, welcome to Tool Emporium. Are you having a nice day? I'm not. No one has bought anything, and look at these hooves: they're a mess, and I'm all out of my beautiful red hoof polish."
  
  (Type STATUS to see a status report, including a list of unsolved problems.)
  
  > go to the north
  This empty lot is overgrown with weeds. The cul-de-sac is to the south.
  
  You discover an old hubcap lying in a patch of weeds. You take it!
  
  > go east
  Corncob Lane continues east and west.
  
  A pig in a tweed blazer and skirt is examining the ground through a magnifying glass. She jumps as you approach. "Oh, hi! I'm Emily Pig. I guess this must look a little silly. Well, I lost the key to my suitcase, and it's pretty small, so I'm just carefully retracing my steps." She sighs. "This is going to take a while."
  
  > Talk
  "I'm still looking for my key. If you find it, please let me know!"
  
  > go east
  Corncob Lane ends here by the shore of Lake Horatio. You see a small house to the north. "E. P." is painted on the mailbox.
  
  > go to the north
  This small house is painted blue and features a bookshelf filled with detective novels. Two large suitcases stand next to the bed.
  
  You notice a tiny key lying under the table. You pick it up!
  
  > Go west
  Corncob Lane continues east and west.
  
  Emily Pig is examining the ground through a magnifying glass.
  
  > give the key
  Emily looks up. "Oh, you found it! Thank you! This is such a relief." She puts the key in her pocket. "Here's a tip!" She gives you a quarter. Then she flops down on the ground and starts to read a small book.
  
  (You have helped one animal!)
  
  > go to the north
  To the north, Little Oak Stream runs west to east, dividing Fairview in half. A wide wooden bridge crosses the stream.
  
  A large ant leans against a bridge post. "Hello," he says slowly. "Name's Werner. We've got a problem: some of those boards are loose, and the bridge isn't safe! I'm eager to fix it, but I need a hammer. Actually, wait a second!" He fishes around in his pocket.
  
  > Talk
  Werner pulls a five-dollar bill out of his pocket and gives it to you. "Here, see if you can find me a hammer!"
  
  > go south
  The walls of this small shop are lined with tools. A sign hanging in front of the counter says, "Today's Sale: Hammers only five bucks!"
  
  Janice Doe sits behind the counter, filing her hoof with an emery board.
  
  > give the bill
  "Finally, a customer!" says Janice. She takes your five dollars, gives you a hammer, and goes back to filing her hoof. "These are really good hammers. You're getting a fantastic deal."
  
  > Go north
  To the north, Little Oak Stream runs west to east, dividing Fairview in half. A wide wooden bridge crosses the stream.
  
  Werner Ant leans against a bridge post, staring worriedly at the bridge.
  
  > give the hammer
  "Say, that's a fine hammer!" Werner grabs the hammer and immediately gets to work on the bridge.
  
  (You have helped two animals!)
  
  > Go north
  "I'm not done yet!" shouts Werner.
  
  Werner Ant pries up some old nails from the bridge.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  Werner Ant pulls some shiny nails out of his pocket.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  Werner Ant pounds in a few nails.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  Werner Ant pounds in one last nail and wipes his forehead.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  Werner Ant gets up. "That should do it!" he says. "This bridge is now fixed and safe to use."
  
  > Talk
  "Another job well done," says Werner. "Thanks for getting that hammer."
  
  > go north
  Willow Avenue continues north. To the south, a bridge crosses Little Oak Stream. A small building to the west has a sign that says "Personal Museum."
  
  > go west
  This is a very odd one-room museum. Shelves hold an assortment of worthless-looking items. In the middle of the room is a large table covered in black velvet.
  
  A rat stands next to the table, weeping into a handkerchief. "Hello," he whimpers. "My?my name is Tobias Rat. Alas! my prize collection of Five Round Things has disappeared. Oh, what shall I do?" He starts bawling again.
  
  > give the cap
  "Ah!" says Tobias. "That is a fascinating specimen!" He takes the hubcap, polishes it with his handkerchief, and puts it on the table. "Please accept this token of my gratitude." He hands you a pair of gently used earplugs.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying a pair of earplugs, a quarter, and a white umbrella.
  
  > Go east
  Maple Street continues east and west.
  
  You notice a brand-new unsharpened pencil lying in the middle of the street. You take it!
  
  > Go east
  Maple Street ends here near Lake Horatio. To the north you see a comfortable-looking brick house.
  
  > go north
  This is a well-furnished living room. The walls are hung with various portraits. The exit is south.
  
  A yak in a bathrobe sits in an armchair, looking miserable. As you enter, he hands you a business card that says "Herman Yak, Attorney at Law." Then he points at the cup of hot water he's holding.
  
  > Talk
  Herman Yak points at his neck and shakes his head. Then he points at his cup.
  
  > take the cup
  You won't need to GET or TAKE things in this game. (If something is worth taking, you'll do it automatically.)
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, a pair of earplugs, a quarter, and a white umbrella.
  
  > give the pencil
  Herman Yak frowns and shakes his head.
  
  > Go west
  Maple Street continues east and west.
  
  > go north
  Here Willow Avenue passes between the Footlight Theater to the west and Zoltan's Restaurant to the east.
  
  A confused-looking hen stands in front of the theater. "Stop a moment! My name is Cornelia Hen. Please help me. I can't leave my post of course, but I absolutely have to have...it was a...well now, what was it?" She scratches her head.
  
  > Talk
  Cornelia says, "Oh, I remember! I need...I think...was it? No, it wasn't." She shuffles her foot.
  
  > Talk
  "Hmm," says the hen, "maybe...was it...yes? No. No? No. Yes. No."
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  "I need to start doing those memory exercises," says Cornelia.
  
  > go east
  Small round tables with white tablecloths fill the large dining room. Zoltan's is known for fine food, but it is strangely empty right now. The exit is west.
  
  A dinner plate lies on the floor near one of the tables. You take it!
  
  > go to the west
  Here Willow Avenue passes between the Footlight Theater to the west and Zoltan's Restaurant to the east.
  
  Cornelia Hen stands in front of the theater, looking bewildered.
  
  > Go north
  This is the north end of Willow Avenue. To the east you see an abandoned drugstore.
  
  > Go east
  This little drugstore seems to be abandoned. The shelves are empty, and there is no one here.
  
  A small bottle of purple hoof polish is sitting on the counter. Apparently no one else wants it, so you take it!
  
  > go to the south
  Here Willow Avenue passes between the Footlight Theater to the west and Zoltan's Restaurant to the east.
  
  Cornelia Hen stands in front of the theater, looking bewildered.
  
  "Now what the heck was it?" mutters Cornelia.
  
  > go to the west
  Cornelia stops you. "You need a ticket to enter the theater!"
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying a bottle of purple hoof polish, a dinner plate, Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, a pair of earplugs, a quarter, and a white umbrella.
  
  > give the card
  Cornelia looks at Herman Yak's business card. "Is that what I need? I think it might be. Although...no, probably not. I can't remember."
  
  > go west
  Maple Street continues in both directions, but to the west it is blocked by a huge pile of rubble.
  
  A cow in an orange vest notices you. "Can you believe this? When they demolished the old Krone building yesterday, the whole thing fell into the street! I'm supposed to start clearing it, but I can't find a hard hat. My name is Barbara, by the way." She shakes your hand.
  
  > go west
  This is a very odd one-room museum. Shelves hold an assortment of worthless-looking items. In the middle of the room is a large table covered in black velvet, on which you see an old hubcap.
  
  Tobias Rat stands next to the table, weeping into a handkerchief.
  
  > give the plate
  "Ooh!" says Tobias. He rubs the surface of the plate thoughtfully, then puts it on the table. "Please accept this in return." He takes a hand mirror from a shelf and gives it to you.
  
  > give quarter
  "Oh!" says Tobias. "That's lovely!" He takes the quarter and examines it closely. Then he places it delicately on the table. "Here, let me reward you with something special." He takes a fresh-looking teabag out of his pocket and hands it to you.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying a teabag, a tarnished hand mirror, a bottle of purple hoof polish, Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, a pair of earplugs, and a white umbrella.
  
  > Go north
  This is a well-furnished living room. The walls are hung with various portraits. The exit is south.
  
  Herman Yak sits in an armchair, holding a cup of hot water and looking miserable.
  
  > give the tea
  Herman brightens up as he takes the teabag. He drops it into his cup of water. He gives you a thumbs-up, then reaches into the pocket of his bathrobe and hands you a ticket.
  
  (You have helped three animals!)
  
  > go west
  Maple Street continues in both directions, but to the west it is blocked by a huge pile of rubble.
  
  Barbara Cow surveys the situation.
  
  Barbara shakes her head at the rubble. "Amateurs."
  
  > Go north
  Here Willow Avenue passes between the Footlight Theater to the west and Zoltan's Restaurant to the east.
  
  Cornelia Hen stands in front of the theater, looking bewildered.
  
  "I need to start doing those memory exercises," says Cornelia.
  
  > give the ticket
  Cornelia takes the ticket and tears it, and gives the stub back to you. "You may now enter the theater."
  
  > Go west
  This theater has an awful lot of red velvet, from the curtain to the carpet to the seats. A poster advertises the currently running "Murder in the Dell." The main doors are east, and to the west is another smaller exit.
  
  > Go west
  This narrow alley runs behind the Footlight Theater. To the west you see a wide road.
  
  > go west
  This wide road is lined with small flowering shrubs. It runs north and south, and a narrow alley leads east.
  
  > Go north
  Walnut Road ends here. To the west a locked gate leads into the Ostracod Estate. To the east is Timmit Pool.
  
  > Go east
  On a sunny day like this, Timmit Pool is a favorite destination for the youth of Fairview. Several small snakes and frogs are playing in a large round pool.
  
  A grown-up asp lies in a chair by the pool. "Hi," he says weakly. "I'm Simon Asp. My kids have been here for hours. I'm so hungry. I can't move."
  
  > Talk
  Simon looks at you pleadingly. "Could you please bring me a snack?"
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying a ticket stub, a tarnished hand mirror, a bottle of purple hoof polish, Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, a pair of earplugs, and a white umbrella.
  
  > go south
  Walnut Road crosses Maple Street here. A statue in the middle of the intersection is dedicated to Horatio J. Turkey, the founder of Fairview. You may proceed in any direction, but to the south, a wide stream of oil flows across the road.
  
  > go south
  As soon as your foot touches the oil, you slip and fall down. You get up wincing.
  
  > go to the east
  Maple Street is interrupted here by a huge pile of rubble. On the north side of the street you can see the foundation of what was a large building. To the south a sign marks the entrance to Little Oak Park.
  
  > Go south
  This pleasant park on the bank of Little Oak Stream is named after the eight-foot tree that stands at its center. A sign describes the tree as the "smallest oak in the four-county area."
  
  A bat hanging from a light pole calls out as you enter. "Oh, help me!" she says. "My name is Violet Bat. That awful noise is driving me crazy! Please do something!"
  
  You can't hear whatever she is talking about.
  
  > give earplugs
  Violet Bat is hanging out of reach.
  
  > Go west
  You are in the front yard of a small brick house that stands to the north. Maple Street continues east and west. An overgrown hedge separates this yard from the one to the west.
  
  A dog wearing a sun hat stands in front of the house. She yells at the hedge, "If you don't give them back to me, I swear I will?I will do something you'll regret!" She turns to face you. "My name is Henrietta Dog. You will never believe what an attitude that?that INDIVIDUAL has. He refuses to return my...oh, it just makes me too mad."
  
  > go west
  Maple Street ends here in another front yard, which contains an assortment of plastic flamingos, gnomes, birdbaths, and the like. An overgrown hedge separates this yard from the one to the east. There is a small green house to the north.
  
  A tawny cat is sitting here in a lawn chair. He wears sunglasses and holds a newspaper. "Hey there!" he calls to you. "I'm Jack Cat. Nice day! Too sunny, though. I need a way to get some shade."
  
  > give umbrella
  "Now that will give some shade," says Jack, taking the umbrella. "But I don't want to sit here holding it. I'll get too tired. I need some way to attach it to my lawn chair!"
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying a ticket stub, a tarnished hand mirror, a bottle of purple hoof polish, Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, and a pair of earplugs.
  
  > Go north
  It's not easy to maneuver inside this dwelling, because there are piles of stuff everywhere: mostly books, but also half-assembled furniture, electronic components, and cardboard boxes. On one wall hangs a photo of two aged cats. The exit is south.
  
  A battered orange frisbee sits on one pile of boxes. You hesitate for a moment, then grab it.
  
  > Go south
  Maple Street ends here in another front yard, which contains an assortment of plastic flamingos, gnomes, birdbaths, and the like. An overgrown hedge separates this yard from the one to the east. There is a small green house to the north.
  
  Jack Cat sits here in his lawn chair, reading the newspaper. An umbrella is lying across his lap.
  
  "You certainly did!" calls a voice from the other side of the hedge.
  
  > Go east
  You are in the front yard of a small brick house that stands to the north. Maple Street continues east and west. An overgrown hedge separates this yard from the one to the west.
  
  Henrietta Dog is here, glaring at the hedge.
  
  "It's not like you ever use them," calls a voice from the other side of the hedge. "Which is why I can't even see you right now."
  
  > Go north
  The front door is locked.
  
  "Of course I use them!" shouts Henrietta. "Now give them back!"
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  "I never borrowed them, you silly dog," calls a voice from the other side of the hedge.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  "You certainly did!" cries Henrietta. "How dare you deny it!"
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  "It's not like you ever use them," calls a voice from the other side of the hedge. "Which is why I can't even see you right now."
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  "Of course I use them!" shouts Henrietta. "Now give them back!"
  
  > Go west
  Maple Street continues in both directions, but to the west it is blocked by a huge pile of rubble.
  
  Barbara Cow surveys the situation.
  
  > Go west
  This is a very odd one-room museum. Shelves hold an assortment of worthless-looking items. In the middle of the room is a large table covered in black velvet, on which you see an old hubcap, a quarter, and a dinner plate.
  
  Tobias Rat stands next to the table, weeping into a handkerchief.
  
  "Who would do such a thing?" moans Tobias.
  
  > give the frisbee
  "I've always wanted one of these!" cries Tobias. He hugs the frisbee and places it on the table. "This is a feeble reward, but please take it." He picks up a pair of garden shears and gives them to you.
  
  > go to the west
  You are in the front yard of a small brick house that stands to the north. Maple Street continues east and west. An overgrown hedge separates this yard from the one to the west.
  
  Henrietta Dog is here, glaring at the hedge.
  
  "Of course I use them!" shouts Henrietta. "Now give them back!"
  
  > give the shears
  "You got them back!" cries Henrietta, clapping. "It's about time!" she shouts at the hedge. Then she unlocks her front door, runs inside, and returns a moment later wearing heavy leather gloves. She begins clipping the hedge.
  
  (You have helped four animals!)
  
  > Talk
  "I just love clipping," says Henrietta.
  
  > Go north
  This quaint little house is decorated with carnation wallpaper, tulip curtains, and a large vase of possibly fake irises. The exit is south.
  
  You discover a large speckled egg sitting out on a counter. You take it!
  
  > Go south
  You are in the front yard of a small brick house that stands to the north. Maple Street continues east and west. An overgrown hedge separates this yard from the one to the west.
  
  Henrietta stands next to the hedge, clipping away.
  
  > Go west
  This is a very odd one-room museum. Shelves hold an assortment of worthless-looking items. In the middle of the room is a large table covered in black velvet, on which you see an old hubcap, a quarter, a dinner plate, and an orange frisbee.
  
  Tobias Rat stands next to the table, weeping into a handkerchief.
  
  > give the egg
  Tobias looks at the egg. "No, I collect things that are more flat and round. That way they don't roll off the table."
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying a large speckled egg, a ticket stub, a tarnished hand mirror, a bottle of purple hoof polish, Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, and a pair of earplugs.
  
  > Go east
  On a sunny day like this, Timmit Pool is a favorite destination for the youth of Fairview. Several small snakes and frogs are playing in a large round pool.
  
  Simon Asp lies weakly in a chair by the pool.
  
  "How long can they stay in there?" whimpers Simon.
  
  > give the egg
  Simon's eyes widen. "Oh, you're a life saver." He accepts the egg and slowly swallows it whole. Then he smiles and falls asleep.
  
  (You have helped five animals! Go talk to the mayor!)
  
  > go south
  To the north, Little Oak Stream runs west to east, dividing Fairview in half. A wide wooden bridge crosses the stream.
  
  Werner Ant leans against a bridge post, looking calmly at the stream.
  
  Werner nods approvingly at the bridge.
  
  > Go south
  You are at the main entrance to the town of Fairview. A large gate leads out of town to the south, and a short path runs north to Primrose Street.
  
  Alfred P. Owl paces back and forth, murmuring worriedly.
  
  > Talk
  "Excellent!" says the mayor. "I knew I could count on you! There are many other animals who desperately need your help, so don't stop now! I'd like to give you some assistance, but this is the only useful thing I have on hand." He presents you with a shiny silver motorcycle helmet.
  
  > Go south
  But you haven't helped all the animals!
  
  The mayor shakes his head.
  
  > go north
  To the north, Little Oak Stream runs west to east, dividing Fairview in half. A wide wooden bridge crosses the stream.
  
  Werner Ant leans against a bridge post, looking calmly at the stream.
  
  > Go west
  This is a very odd one-room museum. Shelves hold an assortment of worthless-looking items. In the middle of the room is a large table covered in black velvet, on which you see an old hubcap, a quarter, a dinner plate, and an orange frisbee.
  
  Tobias Rat stands next to the table, weeping into a handkerchief.
  
  "Woe is me," says Tobias.
  
  > give the helmet
  "That's not regulation equipment," says Barbara. "On the other hand, I need to get working. OK, fine." She forces the helmet on her head with some difficulty. Then she starts hacking at the rubble, and immediately discovers an oil valve. "Whoa, this oil valve is open! That can't be good!" She shuts it off. "Why they installed an oil valve on the street here, I'll never know."
  
  (You have helped six animals!)
  
  > Go west
  There's still no way past all the rubble.
  
  Barbara whistles an old farm tune.
  
  > Go south
  Walnut Road crosses Maple Street here. A statue in the middle of the intersection is dedicated to Horatio J. Turkey, the founder of Fairview. You may proceed in any direction.
  
  The pavement is still a bit oily, but you should be able to cross it now.
  
  > go to the south
  This section of Walnut Road is quiet and peaceful. To the south, the road crosses a bridge over Little Oak Stream.
  
  > go south
  Walnut Road continues its long journey north and south. To the east is a concrete building with a sign that says LABORATORY.
  
  > go east
  This large chamber is filled with worktables and various pieces of apparatus. In the center stands a massive machine. Several long metal rods stick up from the machine through a hole in the ceiling. They are vibrating violently.
  
  A ram in a white lab coat is peering into the machine. He turns to meet you. "Greetings! Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Professor Hubert Ram, and this is my wonderful Alteratomatic. Well, that's what I'm calling it now, but I might change the name later. Anyway, it's all charged up and ready to go, but sadly I can't activate it until I find a 33-ounce oscillating prosistor."
  
  > Go south
  Juniper Lane runs west from here, and Walnut Road continues north and south. To the east you can see a lot of tall weeds.
  
  > Go east
  This lot is full of weeds and occasional pieces of trash, as well as a large muddy puddle. You can see Walnut Road to the west.
  
  > go south
  This is the south end of Walnut Road. Azalea Street starts here and runs west. To the east is a post office.
  
  > go east
  This small post office features a counter and a wall of locked mailboxes. A sign advertises same-day delivery to addresses in Fairview.
  
  A large bee is pacing nervously behind the counter. "You've got to help me!" she exclaims. "I have to make deliveries later today, and I can't find my mail bag, and if I don't find it then I can't deliver anything, and I will be in SO much trouble, and I'm going to get fired, and I'm not kidding at all!" She pauses for breath. "Also, my name is Meg Bee."
  
  > go to the west
  Azalea Street ends here. To the south you see what looks like an auto repair shop.
  
  > Go south
  This is the front office of an auto repair shop. A desk and table are covered with work orders, and various keys hang from a rack on the wall.
  
  A fox wearing greasy jeans and a T-shirt stands by the desk, holding a work order. "Welcome to the shop!" he says. "I'm Willard Fox. If your vehicle needs any work, bring it in! But hey, maybe you can help me with a little problem." He taps the work order. "Simon Asp wants his car back tomorrow, and I can't fix it because I've lost my Jenkins-head screwdriver. Could you find me one? Here." He gives you a ten-dollar bill.
  
  "Oh, by the way," he adds, "in case you don't know, there's a path between the two empty lots. You have to look carefully to find it."
  
  > Go east
  This small post office features a counter and a wall of locked mailboxes. A sign advertises same-day delivery to addresses in Fairview.
  
  Meg Bee is pacing nervously behind the counter.
  
  > go to the east
  You can't go that way.
  
  Meg buzzes unhappily.
  
  > Go east
  This lot is full of weeds and occasional pieces of trash, as well as a large muddy puddle. You can see Walnut Road to the west.
  
  Sure enough, you discover a small path east through the weeds!
  
  > Go east
  This empty lot is overgrown with weeds, but a small path leads west through them. The cul-de-sac is to the south.
  
  > Go south
  The walls of this small shop are lined with tools. A sign hanging in front of the counter says, "Today's Sale: Hammers only five bucks!"
  
  Janice Doe sits behind the counter, filing her hoof with an emery board.
  
  Janice blows on her hoof.
  
  > give the bill
  "I'll bet you want a screwdriver," says Janice as she takes the bill. She hunts around under the counter and gives you one.
  
  > go to the west
  This lot is full of weeds and occasional pieces of trash, as well as a large muddy puddle. You can see Walnut Road to the west. A small path leads east through the weeds.
  
  > go west
  Juniper Lane runs east from here. An imposing courthouse stands to the north, and to the west is a school: Fairview Elementary, according to the sign.
  
  > go to the west
  This is one of several classrooms at Fairview Elementary. It contains about fifteen young animals, pretty well-behaved as it appears. You can leave the school to the east or south.
  
  The teacher, a tall emu, nods to you as you enter. "Welcome to 4A. Say hello, class. My name is Mrs. Rosina Emu. I was just telling the class about a little problem. I've lost my glasses, so I can't read from our history book. It's very distressing."
  
  Several of the students giggle. You notice that Mrs. Emu's glasses are on top of her head.
  
  > Talk
  Before you can communicate anything, Mrs. Emu says, "Excuse me, I don't mind your observing, but we really can't have any additional talking. It sets a poor example for the students."
  
  > give the mirror
  "No thank you," says Mrs. Emu as she glances at the mirror. Then she notices her reflection. "Good heavens! My glasses have been on my head this whole time!" The students start laughing, and Mrs. Emu gives them a very severe look as she lowers her glasses into position.
  
  (You have helped seven animals!)
  
  > Talk
  Mrs. Emu says, "Excuse me, I don't mind your observing, but we really can't have any additional talking. It sets a poor example for the students."
  
  > Go north
  You stand in the carved-wood foyer of the Fairview courthouse. There is only one courtroom, and it seems to be empty.
  
  A coupon for a free piece of luggage is lying on the front counter. You take it!
  
  > Go south
  This is the front office of an auto repair shop. A desk and table are covered with work orders, and various keys hang from a rack on the wall.
  
  Willard Fox stands by the desk, examining a work order for Cornelia Hen.
  
  > give the screwdriver
  Willard looks at the screwdriver. "No, that's not what I need. That's a Jarvis-head, but Simon Asp's car requires a Jenkins-head. Totally non-standard, but what are you gonna do?" He shrugs.
  
  > go west
  This is one of several classrooms at Fairview Elementary. It contains about fifteen young animals, pretty well-behaved as it appears. You can leave the school to the east or south.
  
  Mrs. Rosina Emu stands in front of the class.
  
  > go south
  The Fairview Elementary playground is full of swings, seesaws, and other familiar equipment. There is no one here right now.
  
  An old plastic hula hoop has been left near the slide. You take it!
  
  > Go north
  This is one of several classrooms at Fairview Elementary. It contains about fifteen young animals, pretty well-behaved as it appears. You can leave the school to the east or south.
  
  Mrs. Rosina Emu stands in front of the class.
  
  Mrs. Emu reads aloud from A History of the World for Young Animals.
  
  > give the screwdriver
  Janice shakes her head. "We have a no-return policy."
  
  > Go north
  To the north, Little Oak Stream runs west to east, dividing Fairview in half. A wide wooden bridge crosses the stream.
  
  Werner Ant leans against a bridge post, looking calmly at the stream.
  
  Werner pats his new hammer affectionately.
  
  > Go west
  Maple Street continues in both directions, but to the west it is blocked by a huge pile of rubble.
  
  Barbara Cow is banging on the rubble with a pickaxe.
  
  > give the hoop
  Tobias gasps. "Incredible!" He puts the hula hoop on the table. "I simply don't know what to say! My collection of Five Round Things has been restored! My happiness is complete!" He shakes your hand vigorously. "This deserves a special reward. I'll give you a real oddity." He hunts around for a while, and then produces a furrowed metal cube. "I have no idea what this is, but it's fascinating, isn't it?" He gives it to you.
  
  (You have helped eight animals!)
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying a furrowed metal cube, a luggage coupon, a Jarvis-head screwdriver, a ticket stub, a tarnished hand mirror, a bottle of purple hoof polish, Herman Yak's business card, an unsharpened pencil, and a pair of earplugs.