The circus tent is quiet. Everyone lounges on crates and mats, fidgeting and poking at empty snack baskets. Tummies rumble and gurgle softly around the tent.
Pomni: (stretching her arms) I’m so bored, and my tummy keeps growling like it’s plotting something..
Ragatha: (tilts her head) Same here. I could eat like.. a dozen apples, or maybe two dozen.
Gangle: My stomach is louder than the drums.. I don’t like this..
Jax: (rolling his eyes) You all sound like babies. It’s just a little hunger…
Zooble: We’re all bored. There’s nothing to do except sit here and listen to our tummies..
Ragatha: Yeah.. maximum boredom, mild hunger.. not a good combination..
The door to Mia’s room opens as she steps out. Mia joins the group, bright-eyed and smiling.
Mia: What up, party people?
Zooble: (holds up a finger) Shhh…
Mia: (whispers, covering her mouth) Oh! Sorry…
Mia: What are we waiting for..?
Caine appears with a little POOF!
Caine: Friends! The wait is over. Today’s adventure will be… a picnic scavenger hunt!
Ragatha: (perking up) A scavenger hunt?
Caine: Yes! And Mia—my good friend.
Caine: You will get to be our guide. You will follow the sounds of our tummies to find the picnic treasures hidden around the circus. You’ll need these directions to help you out.
Caine snaps his fingers, making a rolled-up paper appear. He hands it to her. Mia unfolds the paper, scanning the instructions:
High-pitched squeak → forward ”
Mia: (hesitant) W-Wait, you want me to guide everyone? But I’ve never done this before..
Caine: That is precisely why you’re perfect for the role! Every great guide starts somewhere.
Mia: But what if I mess up? What if I lead everyone the wrong way..?
Jax: (leans back, smirking) Then we starve. Simple as that.
Ragatha: (lightly nudges Jax with her elbow) Not helping, Jax!
Pomni: You won’t mess up, Mia. We’ll all be right behind you.
Zooble: And it’s not just you. Our tummies are doing most of the work anyway.
Kinger: (raising a finger dramatically) Yes. We are but instruments, guided by the symphony of hunger.
Jax: You’re making it sound weirder than it already is..
Caine: (places a hand dramatically over his chest) Weird? My dear Jax, this is art. A grand performance of instinct, intuition, and digestion!
Zooble: (dryly) It’s a scavenger hunt, Caine.
Caine: A scavenger hunt with flair.
Mia: (still unsure) I just… don’t know if I’m the right person for this…
Caine: (turns to her, voice softening slightly) And yet, here you are. Sometimes the right person is simply the one willing to try.
Ragatha: (smiling warmly) And we’ll all be with you, Mia. You’re not doing this alone.
Gangle: Yeah! We’ll make plenty of noise for you to follow.
Jax: (shrugs) Not like we can help it anyway.
A small rumble echoes from Pomni’s tummy, followed by a quieter gurgle from Kinger’s.
Kinger: (looking down at his tummy) Aha… the orchestra begins.
Zooble: (glancing at Mia) That’s your cue.
Mia looks at the paper again, hands fidgeting slightly. She takes a breath, listening carefully.
Mia: (softly, thinking it through) R-Right.. Rumble… That means left.
She hesitates for just a moment, then takes a careful step to the left. The group follows behind her, a quiet shuffle of feet filling the tent.
Jax: Well, we’re moving. That’s a start.
Ragatha: You’re doing good, Mia.
Mia: (softly, mostly to herself) Just listen and follow… listen and follow…
They round a stack of crates. Tucked behind them is a rolled-up picnic blanket—but it’s pinned under a slightly crooked box.
Pomni: Oh! There’s something over there!
Gangle: Is that the blanket?
Mia: (brightening a little) Looks like it.
Pomni steps forward quickly, but the box on top wobbles.
Mia quickly reaches out, steadying the box before it can fall.
The box settles. The blanket stays in place.
Pomni: (relieved) Oh, thanks… that could’ve been bad.
Jax: (smirking) First step and already saving the mission. Not bad, “guide.”
Mia: (a little shy, but smiling) I just didn’t want it to fall…
Ragatha: (warmly) That’s exactly what a good guide does.
Mia carefully pulls the blanket free, holding it for a moment like proof she’s doing something right.
Another soft gurgle comes from Kinger’s tummy.
Kinger: (placing a hand over his middle) Oh… a deeper tone…
Mia: (checking the paper, more focused now) Gurgle… that means right.
She turns and starts walking again, a little quicker this time. The group follows.
Gangle: (quietly, a little nervous) I hope we find food soon…
Jax: Same. I’m starting to consider eating the props.
They move past juggling pins and colorful props. Gangle accidentally bumps into a stack, and a few pins tumble down with a clatter, making Gangle let out a scared squeal along with a CRACK!
Mia: (stops immediately, turning back) Gangle? Are you alright?
Gangle slowly pushes herself up. In her hands are the two broken halves of her comedy mask. Her sad mask now in place.
Gangle: (small, shaky voice) Ohh… not again…
The scattered pins roll across the floor, the noise echoing in the tent as everyone freezes for a moment.
Gangle: (holding the broken halves close, voice trembling) It… it keeps happening…
Ragatha: (quickly moving to her side) Hey, hey, it’s okay. It was an accident.
Pomni: Yeah. Those pins were totally in the way anyway.
Jax: (arms crossed, quieter than usual) Yeah. Blame the pins.
Zooble: (glancing at Mia, then back at Gangle) We can deal with it later. Right now, you’re okay.
Mia: We’ll fix it after we finish this, alright?
Gangle hesitates, looking down at the cracked pieces in her hands. She gives a small nod.
A quiet pause lingers. The group stays close, the mood softer now after the fall. A faint, shaky squeak escapes Gangle again as she adjusts the broken mask pieces in her hands.
Zooble: (glancing at Mia) That’s your next clue.
Mia looks down at the paper, then back at Gangle. She takes a small breath, steadying herself.
Mia: High-pitched squeak… that means forward.
She looks up at the group, still a little unsure—but trying.
Mia: We’ll go slow, okay?
Mia steps forward carefully. This time, she makes sure everyone is with her before continuing. The group follows closely behind.
Zooble: (gently, to Gangle) You’re okay. We’ve got you.
Pomni: Yeah… we’re all right here.
Gangle holds the broken mask pieces a little less tightly.
A low rumble echoes from Pomni’s tummy.
Jax: Don’t apologize. That’s literally the point of this adventure.
Mia listens carefully, glancing at the paper.
They turn left, moving behind a curtain of colorful fabric. Something peeks out between the props.
Kinger: (leaning forward) Oh look! A hidden wonder!
Mia steps closer and pulls out a small basket.
Mia looks inside—sandwiches wrapped neatly.
Mia: (a small smile) We found food.
Zooble: Don’t get too excited. There’s still more to collect.
Kinger: The feast must be earned!
Mia smiles a little, holding the basket before carefully setting it with the other items they’ve collected. The smell of fresh sandwiches fills the air, making a few tummies rumble again.
Mia: (softly) Okay, let’s keep going.
Ragatha: (nodding) There’s still more to find.
Pomni: Mm.. I’m not sure my stomach can wait much longer…
Jax: My thoughts exactly..
Ragatha: (warmly smiling) Come on, everyone. Let’s focus. The next clue is waiting.
The group moves cautiously through a narrow aisle between stacked circus props.
Pomni: (peeking around a crate) I think I see something glittering over there…
Kinger: Could it be treasure? Or maybe another clue?
Jax: (arms crossed) Could be a trap. Or a bunch of things ready to fall on us.
Mia steps carefully, listening for the familiar sounds. A low rumble echoes from Zooble’s tummy, then a faint squeak from Gangle’s and a soft gurgle from Pomni’s.
Mia: (softly to herself) Gurgle, right… squeak, forward…
The group follows her as she leads them toward the sound. Ahead, several small Gloinks are hopping around near a pile of props. Their bright, bouncy shapes make it tricky to step carefully.
Pomni: (eyes wide) Oh no… the Gloinks!
Zooble: Oh, not these things again..
Mia: (hesitant) Um… I guess we just have to get past them?
Ragatha: (nodding) Carefully. One step at a time.
Mia moves slowly, holding the paper tightly, guiding the group. A gloink hops right in front of her, bouncing lightly.
Mia: (softly) Okay… forward, gently…
She steps aside just in time. Pomni giggles and tiptoes past another hopping gloink, while Kinger holds his hands out to shoo one gently without hurting it.
Kinger: Easy now, we’re just passing through.
Jax sighs, trying not to step on any gloinks, his arms spread for balance. Suddenly, a gloink bumps into Pomni’s shoulder, making her stumble slightly.
Mia: (quickly stepping forward) Careful, Pomni.
The group carefully navigates the bouncing gloinks. One tiny tumble happens as a few props wobble, but everyone steadies each other, and they make it through without breaking anything.
Gangle: (quietly, from behind Mia) See? Nothing fell. We’re fine.
Mia: (taking a deep breath, relieved) Yeah, we did it.
Pomni: (points ahead) And look! There’s our next item!
Mia gets closer to the item. This time it was a dozen pack of juice boxes.
Mia adds the pack to the blanket and basket.
Ragatha: Good work, everyone. That was a tricky one.
Pomni: (playfully) And the gloinks win a point for surprise attacks.
Jax: (grinning despite himself) I’ll give them that.
Zooble: Let’s hope it’s less chaotic than the last round..
There was a gurgle from Jax’s tummy, followed by a high squeak from Pomni’s.
Mia: (softly, looking at the paper) Okay… gurgle, right… squeak, forward…
The group follows Mia carefully. Ragatha sniffs the air.
Ragatha: Something smells sweet.
Pomni: Are those cookies I smell?
Kinger: That must be our next item… a very delicious one.
Mia: (softly, glancing at the paper) Okay… gurgle, right… squeak, forward… That should lead us straight there.
They move forward carefully, weaving between scattered props. Suddenly, a small juggling ball rolls right into Mia’s path. Before she got closer to it, Kinger reaches out and steadies her shoulder.
Mia: (startled, taking a quick step back) Oh! Thanks, Kinger. I didn’t even see it.
Pomni: (giggling) That ball tried to trip you.
Jax: (arms crossed, muttering) And here I thought it was just props conspiring against us…
Mia adjusts her footing, glancing at the paper. She leads the group carefully past the ball.
Mia: (pointing ahead, relieved) There! I think I see the crate!
On top of the crate sits a neatly wrapped container of cookies, the sweet smell filling the air.
Pomni: Cookies! I knew it!
Mia: (carefully lifting the container) Got it… let’s set them on the blanket with the other items.
She places the container gently beside the basket and juice boxes.
Ragatha: Perfect! Everything is coming together nicely.
The group pauses, waiting for the next clue. A low rumble escapes from Jax’s tummy, followed by a soft gurgle from Zooble’s, and a high-pitched squeak from Kinger’s.
Mia: (softly, looking at the paper) Okay… rumble, left… gurgle, right… squeak, forward… That should lead us to our next item.
The group moves carefully, following the tummy “orchestra.” A few props wobble along the way, and Mia steps slowly to avoid tripping on a small juggling ball rolling across the floor.
Up ahead, they spot the small bag of neatly folded napkins, tucked behind a pile of juggling pins.
Mia: There it is, the napkins.
Mia reaches to grab the bag of napkins, and then puts them with the other items they found.
Ragatha: Well done. I think we just need one more item, and then we’ll have our picnic.
Jax: (rubbing his tummy) About time. I’m starving.
Zooble: Just one more item, and we’re good.
They get back to walking. Mia frowns as she steps carefully over a small hoop.
Mia: Okay... forward... then left... I think...?
The group follows, but props wobble unexpectedly and a few stray juggling balls roll underfoot. The path that seemed clear a moment ago now looks like a maze of scattered items.
Kinger: (looking around, concerned) Uh... Mia.. I think we might have passed the wrong side of the props.
Pomni: We’re back in the hallway.
Mia: I-I might’ve heard wrong.. Let’s go back.
They turn around, going back toward the curtains.
Mia: Wait.. we already went here..
Jax: You sure you know where you’re going?
Mia: Uhh.. I think so..? I swear I heard it correctly. Right, then left.
Gangle: Uh oh.. are we lost?
Kinger: I think we might be going in circles..
Mia: (sits down with a sigh) I’m sorry everyone. I don’t think we’re gonna find the last item..
Pomni: It’s alright, Mia. We can still figure it out.
Zooble kneels beside Mia.
Zooble: (calmly) How about we take a breath? It’s okay to pause for a moment. You’ve been doing your best the whole time, and that’s more than enough.
Mia closes her eyes as she inhales shakily, letting herself settle for a moment. Her shoulders loosen slightly, and she exhales slowly.
Mia: (softly, voice steadier) O-Okay... I guess we can try again...
The group gathers around her, forming a small circle. For a moment, no one moves—they just breathe together, letting the brief pause calm the tension in the hallway.
Pomni: You’ve done well, Mia. Even when it got tricky, you kept going.
Gangle: Yeah. You've led us this far, and we're still together.
Jax: Yeah... not like we'd get anywhere without you anyway.
Zooble: Now, let’s take a moment. Really pay attention to the tummy noises. They'll guide you if you let them.
Mia nods slowly, closing her eyes for a brief second. She inhales, feeling the rhythm of the low rumble from Zooble, the gurgle from Jax, and the high-pitched squeak from Gangle. She lets herself settle, letting the tummies' “orchestra” fill her awareness, blocking out the hallway's confusing echoes.
Mia: (whispering to herself, more focused) Right... then left... forward... I can do this...
With a deep breath, she stands carefully, signaling the group to follow. Step by step, they move forward. Mia steps forward carefully, following the tummy “orchestra.” And there, tucked behind a stack of colorful props, is the last item—a small, cheerful decorative flag with vibrant colors.
Mia: (softly, eyes widening with relief) There... there it is! The flag!
Kinger: Finally! Everything's here.
Mia carefully lifts the flag and sets it in the center of the picnic blanket alongside the basket of sandwiches, juice boxes, cookies, and napkins. The group gathers around, eyes shining with accomplishment.
Ragatha: (smiling warmly) It's perfect. Everything's together now.
Suddenly, Caine appears, clapping dramatically.
Caine: Bravo! Bravo! A masterful performance of teamwork, courage, and impeccable tummy-following!
Pomni: That’s one way to put it.
Caine: Mia, my dear, your leadership was extraordinary! Even in the face of confusion and doubt, you guided everyone with patience and focus. A true triumph! Huzzah!
Mia blushes slightly, looking down at the blanket with all the gathered items.
Mia: (softly) Thank you… everyone helped too.
Jax: (grinning, rubbing his tummy) And now… we finally get to eat, right?
Kinger: Feast earned and fully deserved!
The group settles around the blanket. The sandwiches, cookies, juice boxes, napkins, and decorative flag make the perfect picnic setup. Gangle sets her broken comedy mask gently beside her, a little reminder of the challenges they overcame—but now it feels like a badge of honor rather than a failure.
Ragatha: (smiling, looking around at everyone) I think this might be the best picnic ever…
Mia sits back, a soft smile on her face, feeling the warmth of her friends’ trust and support. Even with the mishaps, the detours, and her doubts, they made it together—and that’s what made it special.
