> OK some progress and I have learned my lesson re maps! I had to give up the sword but received a magic ring - I have gone back where I lost the sword to see if I could get it back somehow - but no luck. I have read two notes in the forest and the lion is still eating me. The creature I saved keeps thanking me and I have given up another carrot to the creature with the long ears.
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> > > I never di find any notes in the forest - as far as the lion goes - I've neaten and smoshed more bugs than I can stand and now I can't remember who I gave the fish to and where he is ugggggggg
> > >
> >
> > Southwest corner of the forest. Hop to it. :)
> >
> > -Mandi "mapping as you go along is a must in these games" aka Chaos

Go back to the cave and take a good look around. Keep checking your inventory while you're there. Sometimes things have a way of just popping up. Go down to where the lion is and just do something kind of quiet. You need to make a map. You will never get through the game without one. You're done with the creature with the big ears. The guy you gave the fish to is in the enchanted forest. Like Mandi said the southwest corner. Go and get paper right now and start the map!!!! From start to finish.