The hungry wolf

<h1>The hungry wolf </h1> <p class="note">A short interactive story inspired by The Three Little Pigs.</p> The forest has been quiet for three days. You are the wolf. You are hungry, tired, and alone. You have heard that three pigs have recently moved into the forest. You also know the old story about wolves and pigs. The problem is that you are not sure the old story is true. You see the smoke rising between the trees. [[Follow the smoke]]

<h2>The First House</h2> You find the first pig standing outside a small house made from straw. He freezes when he sees you. "Stay back!" he shouts. Your stomach growls. You could easily scare him away, but something about the situation feels wrong. What do you do? [[Ask for food]]? [[Threaten the first pig]] or [[Walk away]]

<h2>A Different Story</h2> The pig looks surprised that you are talking instead of attacking. "You are not here to eat me?" he asks. You shake your head. The pig tells you that someone has been destroying food stores in the forest at night. He thinks another animal is responsible. You start to wonder if the pigs are actually the problem. [[Ask who is responsible]] [[Ask for food anyway]]

<h2>The Easy Way</h2> You step closer and growl. The pig runs inside and slams the door. It would be easy to knock the straw house down. You take a breath and decide what kind of wolf you want to be. [[Blow the house down]] or [[Walk away]]

<h2>The Warning</h2> The pig points toward the northern part of the forest. "Whatever you do," he says, "do not go near the old mill after dark." You remember hearing strange noises from that direction. [[Thank him and leave]]

<h2>A Small Meal</h2> The pig gives you an apple from his basket. It is not much, but it helps. Go to [[The second house]]

<h2>The Straw Falls</h2> You huff and you puff and the house comes down. The straw house collapses almost immediately. The pig escapes into the forest. Inside the broken house you find no food, only an old map showing a marked location deeper in the forest. Maybe the pig was telling the truth about something being wrong. Take the map and go to [[The second house]]

<h2>The Wooden House</h2> You reach the second pig's wooden house. Unlike the first pig, this one is standing outside holding a shovel. "I know what wolves are like," he says. You have a choice to make. [[Pretend you dont know anything]] [[Demand he leaves]]

<h2>The Wooden House</h2> You reach the second pig's wooden house. Unlike the first pig, this one is standing outside holding a shovel. "I know what wolves are like," he says. You have a choice to make. [[Tell him what the pig told you]] or [[Pretend you dont know anything]]

<h2>Pieces of the Puzzle</h2> The second pig listens. When you mention the old mill, his expression changes. "So you heard it too," he says. He explains that something has been taking supplies from every animal in the forest. The pigs believe the creature lives beneath the old mill. You realise the pigs may have been building houses for protection, not because they were afraid of you. [[Offer to help them]] or [[Keep your distance]]

<h2>Suspicion</h2> The pig refuses to lower his shovel. "If you know something, say it. Otherwise, leave." You could tell him the truth, but you could also walk away. [[Tell the truth]] or [[Leave]]

<h2>The Wrong Choice</h2> The pig swings the shovel. You jump back. Nobody gets hurt, but you both realise the situation is getting worse. You walk toward the brick house, hoping the third pig might be willing to listen. [[Brick house]]

<h2>The Brick House</h2> The third pig lives in a brick house at the edge of the forest. He opens the window only a little. "Why are you here?" This is the moment when you decide what kind of wolf you will be. [[Tell him about the real threat]] or [[Be honest]]

<h2>The Brick House</h2> The third pig lives in a brick house at the edge of the forest. He opens the window only a little. "Why are you here?" This is the moment when you decide what kind of wolf you will be [[Tell him about the real threat]] or [[Be honest]]

<h2>The Old Mill</h2> You and the pigs reach the old mill before sunset. Behind the building you discover a huge pile of stolen food. Something has been taking supplies from the forest and hiding them here. You hear a noise below. The player must decide what happens next. [[Go inside first]] [[Go in last]] [[Refuse]]

<h2>The Truth</h2> You tell him that you are hungry, but you have not come to hurt anyone. The third pig studies you for a long moment. "Then prove it," he says. "Help us find out what is happening at the mill." [[Agree]] [[Refuse]]

<h2>A Different Path</h2> You leave the pigs behind and disappear into the forest. You are still hungry, and the problem at the mill remains, but at least nobody was hurt because of your choices. [[Neutral ending]]

<h2>Ending: The Wolf Walks Away</h2> You never become the hero of the story, but you also never become the monster. You leave the forest and decide to find your own path. The pigs remember you as the wolf who chose to walk away. [[Play again->Start]]

<h2>The Wolf Alone</h2> You enter the mill alone. Inside, you find a wild boar guarding the stolen food. It charges toward you. You escape, but you realise you made the situation harder by not trusting the pigs. [[Ending mixed]]

<h2>Working Together</h2> The pigs enter with you. The boar is surprised by the group and retreats into the forest. The stolen food is returned to the animals. For the first time, the pigs do not see you as the villain from an old story. [[Good ending]]

<h2>Ending: The Wolf Who Helped</h2> Your choices showed the pigs that you were not the monster they expected. The pigs agree to share food with you, and together you keep the forest safe from the boar. The old story about the wolf is never quite the same again. You reached the good ending. [[Play again->Start]]

<h2>Ending: Almost Trust</h2> You helped solve the problem, but the pigs are still unsure about you. You proved that you can do the right thing, but you also showed that you do not always trust others. Maybe the next meeting will go differently. [[Play again->Start]]

<h2>The Wall</h2> You yell slurs at the pig. The window closes. The brick house is too strong to break into, and you realise that force will not solve this. Go away and take your [[Neutral ending]]