Epic Goose
You decide what happens

Instructions:

Welcome to Epic Goose! Where you decide what happens in your story.

First, you will answer a couple brief questions about yourself and you'll see your personalized story play out in our storybook.
Here are a few things to know about Epic Goose:

  1. Once you choose a path, there is no going back. So choose wisely.
  2. During your journey, you will be faced with decisions that will decide your fate within the story.
  3. At the end of the story, you will see the consequences of your actions.

If you prepared to see where your path leads within our story, "Goblin Market", continue on below:

Please fill out the information below:

Goblin Market

Story by: Christina Rossetti
Retold by: Elrey Belmonti, Megan Olson, and L.D. MacKrell
Backwards up the mossy glen Turn'd and troop'd the goblin men, With their shrill repeated cry, "Come buy, come buy."

Every evening, while walking alongside the brook, would tilt her head to better hear the strange song echoing out of the wooded glen. would try, unsuccessfully, to hide the embarrassment that the sound always made her feel, cheeks flushing hot in the cooling evening air. The two would huddle close as the light faded, locking arms and whispering to each other to be brave. "Stay close," said , lifting up her head to peer into the dark,

"We must not look at goblin men,
We must not buy their fruits:
Who knows upon what soil they fed
Their hungry thirsty roots?"

 As if in answer, the song echoed down, encircling the girls: "Come buy," heralding the weird parade of creatures that hobbled towards them in the dying light.

"Don't look" cried . ", we mustn't look at goblin men!" taking care to cover her eyes to lest she give in to her own curiosity. ignored 's caution and, in an excited whisper, described to her companion each odd and fantastic creature as it came into view. They were men, of a sort; most were quite small and had animal features rarely seen in those who walked on two legs. Some had tails and others pointed noses, some were plumed in feathers, others covered in quills. In their paws and hands, they carried baskets and shiny plates weighed down with brightly colored and unfamiliar fruit.
What do you do:

Path Left: Run
Path Right: Stay

Their offers should not charm us, Their evil gifts would harm us.

Horrified, broke and, sticking her fingers in her ears, closed her eyes and ran. too curious to heed the fear of , stretched up onto her toes to better see the troop of merchantmen.

One had a 's face,
One whisked a tail,
One tramp'd at a 's pace,
One crawl'd like a snail,
One like a prowl'd obtuse and furry,
One like a tumbled hurry skurry.

The noisy assemblage slowed to a stop before , throwing glances between themselves and smiling at unknown brotherly pranks. As one, they revealed their wares, placing their baskets on the green moss and hoisting heavy golden plates dripping with brightly colored fruits. Cajoling, each offered their wares.
Path for :

Path left: Speak to the Goblins

Path Right: Stay Silent

Clearer than water flow'd that juice; She never tasted such before,

Politely, explained that she did not have any money and would not be able to purchase any of the beautiful fruit. With the luck of the sweet-toothed, the goblins suggested a different price:

"You have much wealth upon your head,
Buy from us with a curl."

She clipped a lock and paid in full, after which she, shyly at first, accepted a beautiful . Before long, she was gorging herself on fruit globes beyond description. They were unlike anything she'd ever tasted, fruits from that unknown orchard were sweeter than honey and stronger than any wine. ate until her lips were sore and face sticky from the juices, never feeling the slightest sickness despite the sheer amount she consumed.

Finally, not knowing if it was day or night, tossed aside the empty rinds and, on an impulse, gathered up one of the seed kernels before turning for home.

The sisters met at the gate, concern making 's words harsh. "Where have you been? It's much to late for anyone to be in the woods alone." reminded of the neighbor, Jeanie, who had dallied with the goblin men one day. Engaged to be married, she died a maid obsessed with finding the goblin men ever after.

"Sought them by night and day,
Found them no more, but dwindled and grew grey;
Then fell with the first snow,
While to this day no grass will grow
Where she lies low:"

"Nevermind that," said , ", you will not believe what I have seen!" told of the lovely fruit she had eaten. Even now, in the retelling, hungered for the fruit which only just now left feeling uncomfortably full. Pitying for missing the rare treat, promised to go the next day and bring back some of the fruit to share.

Rising early the next morning, and set to their daily chores. was bright and cheerful in her work, but was distracted, worn, and longing for nightfall. Finally, the day began to wind down just as the two went to fetch water from the reedy brook. The sunset threw shadows on the distant mountain crags, signaling the time for return to home and safety, but loitered and delayed. She was looking for some hint of the customary herd of figures to come racing, whisking, tumbling, hobbling out of the glen, but not a single paw or whisker was to be seen.

Anxious, urged:
"O , come;
I hear the fruit-call but dare not look:
You should not loiter longer at this brook:
Come with me home."

felt cold fall over her as she realized that alone could hear the goblin cry, "Come by our fruits, come buy." Never again would she taste the marvelous fruit and her heart seemed to creak with longing like old wood.

She never caught again the goblin cry: "Come buy, come buy;" -- She never spied the goblin men/ Hawking their fruits along the glen

Home again, crawled to bed, but sleep would not come. Long after had fallen into rest, lay awake, tortured with hunger and gnashing her teeth at the memory of need unfulfilled. Each night, traded sleep for tears and every minute would listen for the call that would never come.

One day, recalled the kernel-stone, secreted in her pocket following that feverish feast. In desperation, she placed it in a little pot and watered it with her ever-flowing tears.

"She dream'd of melons, as a traveller sees
False waves in desert drouth
With shade of leaf-crown'd trees,
And burns the thirstier in the sandful breeze."

No longer would tend to her chores or eat, her locks seemed to grey, and her days passed sitting listlessly in the chimney-nook.

At twilight, halted by the brook: And for the first time in her life Began to listen and look.

Heart aching for her sister, 's distress further increased by the now morning and night cry of the goblins' "Come buy our orchard fruits, Come buy, come buy." Finally, the day came when seemed to be leaving this world and had to act. Pocketing her silver penny, she kissed and set out at twilight to find the market.

"Laugh'd every goblin
When they spied her peeping:
Came towards her hobbling,
Flying, running, leaping"

The -faced and -faced, - and -like, snail-paced in a hurry, and the -voiced surrounded her, stretching up panniers and plates of jewel-like fruits and unearthly delights.

Nay, take a seat with us, Honour and eat with us

"Good folk," said . Tossing them her silver penny, held out her apron and bid them "Give me much and many, all that my penny will buy." Unlike merchants of the human sort, the goblins did not seem keen to accept 's proposed exchange. Instead, they bade her to sit and eat with them as their honored guest. After all, their wondrous fruits were ripe only fleetingly and would rapidly spoil if not presently enjoyed.

Path for :
Left Path: Buy the Fruit
Right Path: Eat the Fruit

Twitch'd her hair out by the roots, Stamp'd upon her tender feet, Held her hands and squeez'd their fruits Against her mouth to make her eat.

"T"hank you," said "But one waits at home alone for me... If you will not sell me any of your fruits, then give me back my silver penny." The once magnanimous smiles and cajoling voices turned hard and sharp, calling her 'proud' and 'uncivil'. Wagging tails and purring transformed into tail lashing and snarls as they began to jostle and crowd her. Claws raked at her and tore her gown, small paws pinching her black as ink, as the horde attempted to force upon her that which they previously tried to beguile.

Having expected no less, utter'd not a word;
Would not open lip from lip
lest they should cram a mouthful in:
But laugh'd in heart to feel the drip
Of juice that syrrup'd all her face,

The torment went on and on, until the cock crowed his morning warning and, exhausted by her resistance, the goblins flung back her penny and dispersed. Some sank into the ground like worms, some dived into the brook, others flew away on the gale and the last disappeared into the distance.

For your sake I have braved the glen And had to do with with goblin merchant men.

Aching, limbs stinging, and skin tingling, snatched up her penny and tore through the forest back to . Her heart was so light with joy and hope, as she flew home she laughed inside. "!" she cried as she ran up the garden. Calling for her sister to come and kiss her fruit stained cheek:

Squeez'd from goblin fruits for you,
Goblin pulp and goblin dew.

Horrified, , startled up from her chair and in fear that had doomed herself for the sake of her sister, tore at her greying curls. Crying once again, kissed 's cheeks repeatedly, until her lips began to scorch. The second taste of the fruit was a wormwood feast, and a fire flew through her blood as life returned to . Light danced back into her eyes, the grey fled from her locks, and innocent laughter returned to her voice.

For there is no friend like a sister To fetch one if one goes astray, To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen whilst one stands.

Long years later, when both had children of their own, they would tell the story of the dangers of the woods and how a sister would stand fast in deadly peril to save the other. One cannot prevent the temptations in life, you can't keep the goblins from crying "Come Buy, come buy," but neither must you heed it. And, if your desire to know, to see, to taste overwhelms you, hopefully you'll have a clever sister nearby.

Took their gifts both choice and many, Ate their fruits and wore their flowers Pluck’d from bowers Where summer ripens at all hours?

Horrified, broke and, sticking her fingers in her ears, closed her eyes and ran. too curious to heed the fear of , stretched up onto her toes to better see the troop of merchantmen.

One had a 's face,
One whisked a tail,
One tramp'd at a 's pace,
One crawl'd like a snail,
One like a prowl'd obtuse and furry,
One like a tumbled hurry skurry.

The noisy assemblage slowed to a stop before , throwing glances between themselves and smiling at unknown brotherly pranks. As a one, they revealed their wares, placing their baskets on the green moss or hoisting heavy golden plates. Cajoling, each offered their wares.

Folks talked about the haunted glen, The wicked, quaint fruit-merchant men, Their fruits like honey to the throat But poison in the blood

Foggy headed and empty handed, turned homeward. Steps heavy with shame and dread she made the long slow walk out of the glen and up the garden path. Seeing her, climbed from her chair, and clutching her wan face with thin hands, called:

“, , have you tasted For my sake the fruit forbidden? Must your light like mine be hidden, Your young life like mine be wasted, Undone in mine undoing, And ruin’d in my ruin, Thirsty, canker’d, goblin-ridden?”—

Upon reaching her, collapsed in her arms, following her sister into tears just as, weeks later, she followed her into the grave. Both were buried at the edge of the woods where, years later a grew. Those who remember the tale of the two sisters say the fruit is cursed and all shun the eating of it.

Took their gifts both choice and many, Ate their fruits and wore their flowers Pluck’d from bowers Where summer ripens at all hours

Clutching her empty apron between her sticky fruit-stained hands, fought back a wave of despair. She had failed to obtain the fruit that would free from the curse that beset her. Unable to return home bereft of that last hope, did not know what to do or where to go. Again, the night breeze carried the cry ”Come buy, come buy” and, turning slowly on her heel, followed it into the dark forest.

Their offers should not charm us, Their evil gifts would harm us.

Frightened almost past bearing, but loathe to leave her less stalwart sister, , in the path of the eerie procession, marshaled her fear. Tightly entwining her fingers with those of 's she dropped her eyes to the mossy path and half-walked, half-dragged them both toward the safe harbor of home. Curious, but unwilling to vex her sister, , allowed herself to be stolen away, but not without much craning of her neck to spy the assembled crew. , resolutely pledged that she would take care to turn home from fetching water at an earlier hour in days to come.

stared but did not stir, Long’d but had no money: The whisk-tail’d merchant bade her taste In tones as smooth as honey,

Whether her shyness grew from her lack of money, or was awe of the strange coterie who addressed her, did not reply. Smiling politely with eyes cast to the edge of the moss at her feet she gave a brief shake of her head. Denying their pretty words and obsequious manners, would not look raise her head nor speak. Rebuffed, the merchantmen hoisted up their baskets and plates and

Backwards up the mossy glen
Turn'd and troop'd the goblin men,
With their shrill repeated cry,
"Come buy, come buy."

As they filed away into the deep forest, the last of their number, a small, -faced goblin, scrabbled upon the uneven bank. One perfect escaped from the basket balanced on his head and rolled down the hill where it came to a stop at 's' foot.
Path for :

Path left: Give Sister Fruit

Path Right: Eat the Fruit

How fair the vine must grow Whose fruitInput are so luscious; How warm the wind must blow Through those fruit bushes.

The goblin's song was still echoing in her ears as snatched up the and ran homewards. She reached the end of the woods where her home, lit by lantern and candle, was visible in the deepening twilight. pulled out the fruit and ate it. It was beyond description, this fruit from an unknown orchard; sweeter than honey in the rock and stronger than any wine brewed by man. She savored each bite and then sucked the juices from her fingers. Pocketing the kernel-stone, she brushed back her hair and walked up the garden path to where her sister, awaited her at the gate.
Path for :

Path left: Go home

Path Right: Go away with the Goblins

To-morrow night I will Buy more;” and kiss’d her: “Have done with sorrow; I’ll bring you plums to-morrow"

Returning home through the woods, met her sister at the garden gate, concern making 's' voice harsh. "Where have you been? It's much to late for anyone to be in the woods alone."
"Nevermind that," said ,", you will not believe what I have seen!" She told her sister of of the weirdling men and the lovely fruit she had seen. Pitying for missing the rare treat, offered her the that had rolled from the goblin merchant's pack. She felt magnanimous in gifting the to promising that she would visit the goblin market the next day and bring back more of the fruit to share.

talked about the haunted glen, The wicked, quaint fruit-merchant men, Their fruits like honey to the throat But poison in the blood.

Driven by her desire to help her sister, was afraid to refuse the hospitality of the merchantmen. Reluctance easily mistaken for shyness, she settled carefully onto the soft moss, smoothing her empty apron over her lap. The goblins surrounded her, offering their multitude of wares.

Chattering like , Fluttering like , Gliding like ,— ... Stretch’d up their dishes, Panniers, and plates

She accepted a and, like a swimmer plunges into a chilly lake, bit into the sweet flesh lest she change her mind. That bite led to a second and on and on as her hosts placed their strange harvest before her. Gone were her thoughts of home and , gone was her sense of day and night, stolen away along with her plan to hide a in the folds of her apron. Hands sticky and mouth aching, thought and memory slowly returned and realized she was alone. Her companions were not long departed as she could hear their song in the woods before her.
Path for :

Path left: Return Home

Path Right: Stay with the Goblins

Sought them by night and day, Found them no more, but dwindled and grew grey; While to this day no grass will grow Where she lies low

Uuanware of from where the came, and unwilling to refuse the gift of a beloved sister, ate the . The fruit was unparalleled in sweetness, unlike anything had ever eaten.

She never tasted such before,
...She suck’d and suck’d and suck’d the more
Fruits which that unknown orchard bore;
She suck’d until her lips were sore;

Over the course of several days, , became listless, no longer taking joy in simple work. Her eyes dulled, her hair greyed, and food no longer held any interest. As watched, her sister faded in front of her. Fretting that the cause was none other than her gift of the goblins' , she returned each night to the glen at twilight, straining to hear the goblin's cry, "Come buy, come buy!" but it never came.

As the first snow fell, so did , leaving her sister, bereft. On the twilight of day after her sister's death, wept by the brook where, over the rattle of her sobs, she one again caught the familiar tune. Faintly, she could hear the market-call blowing on the new winter breeze: "Come buy, come buy..."





Tragic



Your choices have led to a tragic end, whether due to your own curiosity or that of another. While it may have brought you here, you are among the small society who have had a glimpse into the secreted world of the Goblin Market. Few others have tasted their wares. Sometimes the desire for knowledge, to see and experience the world around us, can be harshly rewarded, but no one can say that yours is a life un-lived.

Joyful



You made it through the Goblin Market! It wasn't easy and sometimes the circumstances took you down a dark path, but you strove to find the light: protecting your loved ones and resisting the temptation of Goblin Fruit. Take care that your devotion to steady and safe doesn't keep you from entering the woods in the first place. After all, one needs the dark to appreciate the light.

Bittersweet