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Â© 2011 Disney. All rights reserved. Used under license by Penguin Young Readers Group. Published by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Printed in the U.S.A.

ISBN : 978-1-101-55232-2

http://us.penguingroup.com

Some time ago, before the Dojo was built . . .

The snow crunches underneath your flippers as you wander through the wilds of Club Penguin. You're on an adventure, and you're prepared for anything: Your warm coat and boots will protect you from the elements; your helmet will keep you from harm; and you've got a rope, food, and water in your backpack.

The only thing you're missing is a map showing exactly where you need to go. That's because you don't really know where you're going. The reason you've embarked on this quest is because of a mysterious rumor you've heard.

It started with whispers about ninjas, black-clad penguins expert in the art of mastering the elements. You've never seen one, but other penguins swear they've seen signs that the ninjas exist. The latest rumor is that a mysterious gray penguin with a white beard and a wide straw hat has been spotted in the wilderness. They say he looks like a wise ninja master.

Most penguins are content to just talk about the ninjas, but you have the heart of an adventurer. That's why, days ago, you set out to find this ninja master. But all you've found so far is snow, snow, and more snow. The only thing you've noticed that's unusual is the sky over Club Penguin, which is streaked with orange. But that has nothing to do with the ninjasâor does it?

“I wonder if I should turn back,” you say out loud. The thought makes you sad. You don't want your adventure to be over so soon.

You sit down on a rock, trying to decide what to do. That's when you notice a plume of smoke rising from a circle of pine trees in the distance.

“That's curious,” you remark. “Maybe my adventure isn't over yet.”

You hoist your backpack on your shoulders and trek toward the smoke. As you quietly step into the circle of trees, you are amazed to see a gray penguin sitting at the edge of a small, reflective pond. A small fire burns next to him, and a teapot is hanging over the fire, supported by a stand made from tree branches.

Your heart starts to beat faster. The penguin has a long, white beard, bushy, white eyebrows, and wears a straw hat on his head. Is this the mysterious ninja master you have been searching for?

“Come closer, my friend.”

The penguin's voice startles you. His back is turned to you, and you wonder how he knows you are there.

“Hello,” you say, waddling up to the pond. You tell the penguin your name.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” he replies, turning to you. “You may call me Sensei.”

“That means
teacher
, doesn't it?” you ask. You did some reading up on ninjas before your journey.

Sensei nods. “It does indeed,” he replies. “You appear to be clever, young penguin. And bold. No other penguin has ever ventured so far into the wilderness.”

“I heard a rumor that there was a ninja master somewhere on the island,” you tell him. “I would love to train to be a ninja. So I set out on a quest . . . and I found you.”

Sensei is silent for a moment. Finally, he speaks:

“I have been searching for a penguin to help me with a very important task,” he says. “Will you assist me?”

Your heart starts to beat quickly. This is exactly the adventure you were hoping for!

“Of course I'll help you!” you reply. “What do you need me to do?”

Sensei takes the teapot off the fire and pours two cups of tea. Then he pats the ground next to him, motioning for you to sit. When you do, he hands you a cup of tea. It's warm and smells delicious.

“I know there are many penguins on the island who want to become ninjas,” Sensei begins. “To train so many ninjas will be a difficult taskâbut not impossible. To do that, I must build a Dojo so penguins can learn the ways of the ninja.”

“That's like a training gym, right?” you ask.

Sensei nods. “In the Dojo, I can instruct penguins in the art of mastering the elements.”

You're puzzled. “Mastering the elements?”

“Fire, snow, and water,” Sensei explains. “Each has a different power. Each can be dangerous if not controlled. But when they are mastered, great things can happen.”

“So you need me to help build the Dojo?” you ask.

“Before the Dojo can be built, the perfect location must be found,” Sensei responds. “It must be a place where fire, water, and snow come together in harmony.”

Sensei unrolls a paper scroll, and you see a map of Club Penguin on it. It's not like the map you normally useâit shows all of the island's natural features, including mountains, rivers, and caves.

“I created this map during my travels,” he says. “You can use it as you search for the best place for the Dojo.”

Then he hands you something elseâa small book with a black cover. The title simply reads
Haiku
.

“A haiku is a special kind of poem,” he says. “The verses in this book may help you when you are in trouble or unsure of your path.”

You open the book to a random page. This is the verse you see:

“Alone you travel.
But when a friend offers help,
Do not refuse her.”

“Thank you, Sensei,” you say. “I won't let you down.”

Sensei stands up. “Study the map,” he tells you. “You must decide where you will go.”

Sensei walks off into the trees. You look at the map, trying to find a place where fire, snow, and water all meet. There is snow everywhere, of course, so you decide to narrow your search. There are two things that stand out.

One is a river that snakes across Club Penguin. You didn't even know it existed. That makes water and snowâbut no fire.

The other is a hot springâthat's fire and water together, but it's underground, so there's no snow. You'll have to explore to be sure, but which place will you explore first?

If you explore the river first, go to page 31.

If you explore the underground spring, go to page 47.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58.

Sensei is very pleased with the tea that you bring him. He opens up a wood box and brings out a tea set with a blue teapot and four matching cups on a round tray.

“Since you appreciate tea, you may enjoy this,” he says, giving it to you.

“Thanks, Sensei!” you say. You take out the map. “I guess now we have to get back to our search. We were trying to take the path around the mountain, but Jim says it's blocked.”

“You must climb the mountain,” Sensei says. “Only then can you decide what to do.”

You nod. “We'll go back to the wide mountain and climb it. Thanks, Sensei!”

You all say your good-byes and then head back to the mountain, making a quick stop at your igloo to drop off the tea set. Refreshed, you start your journey once more.

Before long, you and Amy are back at the wide mountain, ready to climb.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26.

“Everyone believes you're real,” you tell Pia. “If you go out there now and tell everyone about your prank, you'll be famous.”

Pia looks thoughtful. “Okay,” she says. “Lead the way.”

You leave the Mine and jump out of the cart. “Hey, everybody!” you announce. “I found the ghost! Only it's not a ghost at all. It's a penguin in a sheet.”

The penguins look confused. You look behind you and there's no sign of Pia. She's tricked you.

You frown. “Okay, maybe I can't prove I saw the ghost,” you say. “But I met Sensei, a ninja master, in the woods. He gave me this map.”

You get the map from your packâand it's blank!

“Honestly, this used to be a map,” you say.

The other penguins don't seem to believe you. Have you been imagining things?

THE END

BOOK: The Ninja Quest

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