Choose Your Own Adventure - The Abominable Snowman

[Elaevia]

Let's go!

[al'Leif Dratoran]

I am prepared for the ordeal!

[LilyElizabeth]

Runal is still with you. He taps you on the shoulder, and you rise and follow him to the back of the monastery behind the golden Buddha. The heavy smell of rose-scented incense fills the air. 

 

"The Yeti are guides to Shangri-La. They take the chosen people to this hidden valley, which many have heard of but only a few have seen."

 

You nod, wondering what comes next. 

 

"One last chance, my friend. Turn back now and live a normal life with your friend Carlos. Go ahead and accept the life of the secret world."

 

 

 

Do you go on?

 

Or do you turn back?

[al'Leif Dratoran]

Go Forth!

[Moon Sedai]

Go forth.

[Niniel]

Go forth!

[LilyElizabeth]

"I am ready, Runal. Lead the way."

 

Runal taps three times on the back of the Buddha, near the spot where the skull and neck join. It makes a clanging sound like cymbals being struck. 

 

Awesome! Before you stands a seven foot tall being, with broad shoulders and huge feet. His face is gentle and kind. You are not frightened. 

 

Runal introduces him, "This is Zodak. He is your special guide. Follow him. He will take you to where you must go."

 

"Can I say goodbye to Carlos?"

 

"It is not usual. I do not advise it; it might upset him and you. However if you wish, go and say farewell."

 

 

 

 

Do you go and bid goodbye to Carlos?

 

Do you decide against bidding farewell?

[al'Leif Dratoran]

Bid Carlos a mental farewell. March onward into the sunset!

[Niniel]

I agree. 

[Moon Sedai]

forget carlos. 

[Ryrin]

Take Carlos out of your mind.  Leave him without a word.

[LilyElizabeth]

Zodak motions you to follow. He takes one giant step into the air. You look with amazement as he hovers a meter off the ground. Then you step up into the air, and you, too, are suspended above the floor of the monastery. You are levitating.

 

Whoosh!! The two of you zoom out of the monastery, right through the walls, up into the sky. You travel at unimaginable speeds. You climb at a dizzying pace, until the two of you stand on top of the sharp, icy crest of Mt. Everest. Below you stretch glaciers, mountains, valleys. You see the world from the top. 

 

Zodak points to a narrow slot near the topmost point of Mt. Everest. He says, "That is the route to Shangri-La." He takes three steps, enters the slot, and disappears from sight. 

 

You take one last look at the earth about you. You see the clouds rolling up from the flat, dry plains of the Punjab in India. You see the curve of the Earth. You see the contrail of an airplane far to the South.

 

You step into the narrow chute. It's warm, glistening with the shine of a metal unknown to you. You hover in space in the narrow metal tube. In truth, you are moving at a great speed down through the center of Everest. There is a rose-colored glow around you. 

 

Where is Zodak? Some guide, you think, leaving you alone. What's next?

 

With a gentle bump, you come to rest. In front of you is a clear glass door, You push it open. There stands Zodak. 

 

"Come. Welcome to Shangri-La."

 

You walk out into a dark green valley surrounded by low-lying hills. In the distance are high mountains. One of them looks like Everest. You hear music unlike any music you have ever heard before. It is somewhat like the sounds in the monastery, the bells and wind. The sunlight is warm and relaxing. 

 

Zodak leads you down a long trail to a seven-story building. It seems to be a fortress, but it is painted white and red and gold. There are no soldiers, no guns, only people who smile and greet you as if you are an old friend. 

 

It seems so natural. You turn to Zodak, and you get a shock. His form has changed. He is now the mirror image of you! What does this mean?

 

Although you never find out about that, you learn many things as you stay in the valley. You have the chance to try many activities you could never try before - but only what is available in the valley. You learn to be contented within the limits of the small valley .

 

Second thoughts?

 

One last chance, is that it? Is that what you want? OK. You're on. Out of the valley of Shangri-La and back to the real world. Is it different? Can you do whatever you want? Can you fulfill your dreams? Can you enjoy your life completely? Or must you be content within limits?

 

 

The End

[LilyElizabeth]

Personally, I thought the ending was kind of lame. What do you all think? These are books written for children, so they may all be lame. Is it worth doing again?

[Niniel]

Yeh, the end was very quick. But I'd love to do another one. Thanks, Lily!

[LilyElizabeth]

I think that was one of the longer routes to the end. 

[Niniel]

Okay. :)

[Ryrin]

Love another one.

[al'Leif Dratoran]

There's a bunch of possibilities in these, so another may be long. Lets try a different branch!

[al'Leif Dratoran]

I guess we won't do another? 

[LilyElizabeth]

Sure we will. Just not right away. 

[al'Leif Dratoran]

Okay that's cool.