Gus is questing! Episode 1/25

The day of the Egg Hunt had arrived, and it was a glorious morning. Petula, the bunny, had arisen very early to bake a batch of special carrot muffins to start the morning off right. She was expecting her friends Cora, the sheep, and Gus to arrive at any minute. While waiting, Petula had searched out some baskets and stuffed them with colourful grass. These would be used to hold the eggs they would hopefully find. She was so excited her paws were dancing as she looked out the window for the third time.

Right on time, there was a knock on the door. Cora and Gus stepped inside to Petula’s happy greeting. “Good, Egg Hunting Day to you both! I baked some carrot muffins we can munch on before we set out. Are you both familiar with what we will be doing?” Cora knew what this day was all about, but Gus shook his head—they were not sure. Petula handed them each a basket and explained, “Today is the Egg Hunt day. It is an ancient tradition where we look for specially hand-painted eggs. We can eat the eggs we find or keep them as decorations. I am sure we will find some chocolate eggs, maybe even marshmallow eggs, but we are really looking for those beautifully painted eggs. This year we are going on an Egg Hop. We will visit various houses, and shops that are participating and hunt out our special eggs.” Petula beamed at them both. Gus grabbed a basket and smiled, “I am so excited—this is going to be great fun. I hope we find lots of eggs.”

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The three friends headed outside. Cora stopped and turned to Petula, “How do we know what places to visit? We can't just barge into homes looking for eggs. This is not a video game where the character waltzes into a home and starts to rummage around in cupboards.” Petula laughed—they both liked to play video games and always found it odd that game characters did this. “No, we most certainly will not be barging into homes.” Petula pointed at a house near her own, "See, that house has a big bow on the door, that means they are participating. The hunt has been all arranged.” Gus and Cora nodded, “Whew! Great idea, now let’s go get some eggs." Racing up the path to the door, Gus shouted, “I see an egg! Oh! This is a chocolate egg.” Gus put the egg into his basket and knocked on the door.

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The door was answered by a smiling Gibby. “Welcome, and Happy Egg Hunt! I have hidden some eggs in this room—see what you can find.” Cora, Gus, and Petula all began to search. They looked behind cushions and on top of windows. “I found a painted egg!” yelled Gus. “I found one too,” Cora said as she plopped the painted egg into her basket. “Oh!, There is one hidden on the top of the door, I almost missed it.” Petula excitedly grabbed the egg and looked around the room to see if there were any more hidden. “I think you have found them all, well done,” said Gibby. “Thank you very much,” the three friends sang out in unison. “This was a lot of fun.”

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On to the next house. “Wow! This a gorgeous house,” said Gus pointing at a house with a flower garden on its roof and situated in a beautiful garden.” Petula smiled at Gus, “The owner of this house has a shop in town as well, I think we will be going there later.” The owner came out to greet the egg hunters, smiling warmly, “Happy Egg Hunt! The eggs are hidden in the garden or not. If the squirrels have been out then, they may have found some before you.” Gus looked around quickly, spotting a squirrel high in a tree holding a painted egg. “I don’t think we mind, do we? If the squirrels want to join in the fun, that is ok with us.” Being careful not to trample the flowers in the garden, the three friends searched high and low, under shrubs and amongst flowers. They found a fair few eggs and were more than happy. Taking their leave and waving hearty goodbyes, the three egg hunters wandered up the street to their next destination.

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Tucked into the residential area were a few shops. The trio approached the Fine Decor Shop, Petula stopped to admire the unusual building. “This shop is run by fairies, and you will never guess what they sell inside.” Petula laughed. Cora put a paw up to Petula,” Fairies? I thought they only lived in the forest and caused mischief to travellers.” “Not so! Well…yes, sometimes they do play pranks, but only in the nicest way. These fairies have had a shop here for quite a while, with a workshop in the back. Come on, you will see.” Cora was not so sure. The day was fine—and they were all having great fun collecting eggs. If this shop was on the list of places to visit, who was she to put a dampener on the fun.

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Petula and Gus walked straight into the shop, and a doorbell was heard to give a gentle chime. Cora peered carefully around the open door before stepping in. “Come on,” said Petula, “Nothing to worry about, but feast your eyes on this.” Cora stood still as her eyes travelled over the shop interior. “Wow! Oh, wow! This is amazing.” On display were dozens of glass eggs of all colours and sizes. They shone in the sunlight and seemed to emit a low hum. A fairy appeared in front of Petula, “Welcome, and Happy Egg Hunt. Please find the eggs hidden, if you can.” The Fairy gave a gentle laugh.

Where to start, eggs everywhere, but all of them were glass. Slowly the trio became accustomed to the glass eggs and started to find the hand-painted eggs they were searching for. The gentle hum from the glass eggs had a profound effect on the trio, and they were reluctant to leave when they had found all the eggs. The trio said their thank yous to the Fairy and left the unusual shop. “I found some,” said Gus, and Cora nodded, “I did too, and I have to say I want to come back here and buy one of those marvellous glass eggs one day.”

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“Oh! Look, the shop next door has a bow, and it’s a bakery. I smell something delicious. Do you think we can stop and have something to eat? Those carrot muffins you made were great, but all this talk of eggs and finding eggs has made my tummy think it wants something.” Cora happily made for the door of the bakery before Petula had a chance to answer.

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Once inside, the owner of the shop, who was holding a tray of freshly-baked muffins, greeted the trio, “Welcome to my bakery and Happy Egg Hunt to you.” Gus piped up, “Your shop smells delicious. I think we all would like a round of muffins, please.” The three sat down while the baker set muffins out for them. Cora grabbed her muffin and started to take a big bite. “Wait!” yelled Petula. Cora stopped mid-bite, “Why? I am hungry, and this muffin smells wonderful.” Carefully Petula took the top off of her muffin, and in the center was a painted egg. “ “They baked the eggs into the muffin.” Cora took the top of her muffin— there sat another painted egg. “Oh no, I almost ruined the egg. Quick thinking Petula.”

The three egg hunters enjoyed a few muffins, finding painted eggs in some but not in others, laughing and joking about how clever it was to conceal eggs inside muffins. As delicious as the muffins were the trio became full and ordered up a few muffins to take with them in a bag, they thanked the baker and left the shop, full and happy.

Gus is questing! Episode 9/25

“I am so full of muffins, and I found some more eggs. What a fun day,” beamed Gus. Petula patted her tummy, “That was a nice break, and I feel ready to hunt some more eggs. What about you, Cora?” Cora agreed, and off they went down the street, looking at doors for any sign of a bow.

It was not long before the three saw a big bow on a door. “Yay! We found another house. I wonder where they have hidden the eggs.” Gus raced up to the door, knocked, the door opened, and a loud, “Happy Egg Hunt.” greeted them.

Gus is questing! Episode 10/25

The three egg hunters were shown to the garden in the back of the house. They were each handed a shovel and told that eggs had been buried in the garden. “Wow! We are going to dig for eggs. Won't they be all dirty?” “No, we have wrapped them up in some paper. I am not sure if there will be any because we have a family of moles that live under the garden— so they may have gotten to the eggs first. You will have to look for clues and dig carefully.” Cora looked at Petula, “I am sure glad we ate all those muffins to give us energy. Let’s get cracking!” Petula looked startled. “Oh, no, haha, that was my little joke, what we want to do is to not get cracking.”

The three friends dug, finding eggs now and then, some chocolate, and a few painted eggs. All the eggs they found had been wrapped well and were perfectly safe. The digging was certainly a different way to find eggs, they were not sure if they would want to do this again, but new experiences were part of the hunt. “I think we have found all there is,” said Petula, so they gathered up the shovels and placed them neatly on the grass. After washing their hands and thanking their host, the trio left with their baskets quite a bit heavier.

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“We should go home and unload these eggs, so we have room for more. My basket is getting heavy.” Petula stated. The three agreed that though they did have many eggs, they all wanted to continue with the hunt if there were more places to visit. Heading back to Petula’s house, the three took a back way, along a path by the water.

As soon as they reached the water Gus shouted out, “Eggs, oh my gosh, I see eggs.” The trio raced onto the sandy shore; hidden behind trees, on the dock, in the grass—they saw lots of eggs. Scooping them up and trying to make as many fit into their baskets as possible, the three wondered who had left them. All they saw as they continued onto Petula’s house—was a squirrel sitting in a tree.

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Back at Petula’s house, the three egg hunters emptied their baskets, putting the eggs into one big basket that Petula had ready. “Wow! We have a lot of eggs.” Cora said. Gus was looking a bit sleepy, so Petula suggested they have some peppermint tea and a bit of a sit. “This tea will refresh us, and when we are ready, we can go out and collect more eggs.”

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Petula, Cora, and Gus felt terrific after their break and were more than ready for the next house. They walked a few blocks and found themselves in front of a lovely old house with a bow on the door. Iron fencing surrounded what looked like an orchard. Petula knocked on the door. A voice came from behind her, “Hello there, Happy Egg Hunt.” Turning around, Petula saw the owner of the house—standing by the gate to the orchard.

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“Hello, thank you for participating,” said Petula, walking forward. The owner of the orchard pointed to some ladders, “You will need these, I hope you are not afraid of heights. The eggs are hidden in the trees, of course, we have squirrels that may have helped themselves to some eggs. Have fun.”

Cora was slightly unsure about climbing ladders. “What if we just shake the trees?” Cora walked up to a tree and backed into it, the tree shook, and out fell a few eggs. “Oh no, the eggs broke. That won’t work.” Petula helped Cora set up the ladder and held it for her as she made her first climb. “Success! I found an egg that did not fall out.” After that, Cora was up and down ladders as if she had been doing it her whole life. The trio managed to gather quite a few eggs from the trees. They thanked the owner and complimented him on his fine orchard. Chatting happily, they walked off down the street— in search of their next house.

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“Oh, I smell food, it smells yummy!” Cora, turned to Gus, “Do you smell that? Look, this must be the house. I wonder what awaits us here.” Cora ran up to the door and knocked. Petula was looking at Cora, “Are you truly hungry again? We just ate all those muffins not that long ago.” “Yes, yes, can’t you smell that, it is making my tummy rumble. Oh, I hope they open the door quickly.” No sooner said than the door did indeed open. “Welcome, Happy Egg Hunt.” Said the Tiger standing in the doorway. “Come on in, I was just cooking up something in the kitchen.”

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Cora sniffed the air, “What are you cooking that smells so good?” Tiger gestured to go through into the kitchen, “Eggs, I am cooking eggs for our breakfast.” “EGGS!” Cora ran into the kitchen, moaning. Tiger turned to Petula, “What is wrong with your friend?” Petula shrugged, “Either she is really hungry, though I don’t see how, or she is worried that you are cooking the eggs we are looking for in the egg hunt.” Tiger started to laugh. “No, I am not cooking those eggs. Those eggs are up in the attic. Oh my! Your poor friend.”

They hurried into the kitchen and found Cora standing by the table, looking slightly bewildered. “I thought…I have eggs on the brain.” Tiger laughed again and said, “Why not sit down and share my eggs, I have made plenty, and then you can go up to the attic to look for the painted eggs.” Gus thought this was the most eggcellent idea.

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Up to the attic, they all trooped. There were only a few cobwebs—and no spiders, for which Petula was very grateful. “Look at all this stuff—some of it looks quite old,” said Gus. “I found an egg,” Petula called out, “Oh no, it is not an egg—it’s a balloon.” The three hunted behind and under everything in the attic. In time the trio had found all the eggs that had been hidden, and it was quite a haul. They dusted their knees, thanked the Tiger for the cooked egg snack, and waved goodbye.

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Standing outside the Hat Shop, Cora said, “Are we going to get new hats for spring?” “We could. I am sure the shop owner won’t mind if we make a purchase.” The Hat Shop was a pretty little store along a row of specialty shops. Gus was quite excited at the prospect of finding more eggs and trying on new hats as well. “I wonder if they have a hat that can fit my ears,” mused Petula.

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Inside the Hat Shop, the owner greeted the trio, “Happy Egg Hunt!” Chattering about all the wonderful displays, the three egg hunters tried on hats and—in the process found some eggs. Cora laughed, “You want to be careful when putting on a hat today—you don’t want to get an egg smashed on your head.” The eggs were under hats, tucked in brims, and one was found posing as a jewel on a tiara. The three left the shop; with waves and thanks–-each carrying a bag with a new hat in it.“That was so much fun, I can’t wait to wear my new hat.” said Gus.

Gus is questing! Episode 20/25

“It is time to start heading for the Main Square,” said Petula. “Let’s take the path, and then we have two more shops to visit.” Walking along the path next to the river--the air was fresh and cool. Cora stopped and put on her new hat letting her friends admire how she looked. “Hey! Look, there are eggs in the trees overhead!” Petula, Cora, and Gus gathered the eggs they could reach and then walked on their way.

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“That’s the music shop!” They all sang in chorus. “I have always wanted to play a musical instrument,” stated Petula. “What is your favourite instrument, Petula”? Cora asked. “Hmm, I guess it would be the harp or maybe the violin.” Gus, what about your favourite?” Gus, thought for a moment “I think I like the guitar the best.” Cora looked in the window of the shop, “That right there,” she said pointing at the trumpet, “I like the trumpet best of all.”

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As soon as the three friends walked into the music shop, the owner sang out, “Happy Egg Hunt!” “Thank you,” said Petula. Looking around the shop, she did not see any eggs hiding unless they were very well hidden. “Are we in the right place?” “But of course, only you will not be seeking out the eggs. You will be singing for the eggs.” “Singing?'' Asked Cora. “Yes, in a music shop, you would expect no less. Come, gather together, and sing a song with your best voices.”

Petula looked at Gus, and Gus looked at Cora, and Cora looked at the floor. The three friends huddled together. “I don’t think I sing well,” said Cora. Gus piped up, “Me either, I mean I don’t sing well.” Petula thought for a few seconds, “Everyone knows the cottontail song, we can sing that. It won’t matter how we sound if we try our best, and the fun is in doing something different.” The three friends lined up, and though they started off slow and a bit unsure, they soon were belting out the song about the bunny who brings gifts and candy to children. The shop owner clapped when they were done, and he presented each of them with some painted eggs. “Thank you,” said Petula as they left the shop.

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“The last shop is a Book Shop,” said Petula, “And here we are.” Cora opened the door and stepped inside. “Welcome, Happy Egg Hunt!” Concordia, the dragon, greeted the trio with a warm smile. She waved her hand around the stacks of books. "Hidden around the shop are many eggs—see if you can find them all.”
The shop was so cozy and filled with books that the three friends found themselves quite slowed down in looking for eggs. Many interesting book titles caught their eyes, and they would stop to take a peek inside the pages of any book that caught their fancy. Eventually, the trio had found all the eggs. Thanking Concordia, they left the shop.

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The three friends stood outside the book shop, “We found lots of eggs, we each bought a new hat, and we also found some great books to enjoy.” “I adore books,” said Cora, “Me too! There is nothing better than reading,” chimed in Gus. Petula stated, “Books are better than any treasure.” “It is time to head to the Main Square,”

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Entering the Main Square, the three friends gathered near the fountain. There were tables set out with eggs on them and music playing. “What a joyous occasion,” said Cora. Gus responded, “I don’t know when I have had so much fun. We did it all today, and there is still time for lunch.” Everyone laughed. They all agreed. With all the walking they had done, and all the searching for eggs, it was time to relax with some tea and a sandwich. “Let’s go to Cora’s house for lunch.” Petula handed Gus an egg, “Happy Egg Hunt! Any occasion is a lot more special when you can spend time with good friends.”
Gus has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also take part!