> > > > (Cutting out a lot of quotage here for clutter and correct order of comments.)
> > > >
> > > > (Gees' last advice)
> > > >
> > > > >>Do not hide in the sunflowers. HINT--HINT--
> > > > >>"LISTEN" to what I am telling you. You're doing
> > > > >>great. In the forest there is a soccerer that
> > > > >>would love those leaves. He will reward you.
> > > > >>Keep adding the places you visit to that map.
> > > > >>The map is very important. Good Luck!!
> > > >
> > > > > Thanks for the help - sickly guy only says - "Thank you so much for the food! I almost starved to death. he has told me that about 50 times!
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Okay. Stop. REPOST YOUR INVENTORY. By this, I mean, COPY-AND-PASTE the whole thing. I'm betting that there probably is already a magic stone in there and you're done with the gnome. The last copy you pasted is pretty outdated by now either way. :)
> > > >
> > > > Second: get back to the cave, you did not explore all the exits. There are two exits out of the cave. One you can walk out of.
> > > >
> > > > The other, you can SWIM out of. Two rooms give you the option to swim - one is too shallow, but the other one isn't. Swim! Swim! SWIM!!
> > > >
> > > > Finally, once you've got the sword back, I refer you to Gees' excellent advice. :)
> > > >
> > > > -Mandi aka Chaos
> > >
> > > OK - here is copied and paste inventory. I have left the cave both walking and swimming. In swiming - I have two options - I can hit my head or go to the ocean.
> > >
> > > Sack
> > > Hook
> > > Sword
> > > Bow
> > > Ticket
> > >
> > > Carrot
> > > Branch
> > > Shovel
> > > Arrow
> > > Pass Ring
> > >
> > > Carrot
> > > Silver Key
> > > Hammer
> > > Fishing Pole
> > > Sunstone
> > >
> > > Rope
> > > Gold Key
> > > Nails
> > > Club
Scroll
> >
> > And you have the sword! Which meant you already did go through the cave and picked it up again!
> >
> > Unfortunately, no magic stone. Which makes no sense to me, unless the game won't let you get it from him until you've seen what it's for. When you actually USE it, the magic stone disappears. Have you made it to the garden castle yet?
> >
> > Regardless of whether or not you've done that, Gees' advice about the leaves is sound. Go back to the enchanted forest now that you're armed and see where you can go. Without the sword, you couldn't explore the northwest corner of the forest. Now you can fight your way over there.
> >
> > -Mandi aka Chaos

> Have dealt with orc and kobold and now have scroll - went back to stump and wound up in cave?
>
> have revisited a few location but can't find magic stone and when I listen, I hear growling or owls and bats. I continue to persevere thanks for all of the help! This is fun - but very frustrating!

(adds the scroll to your inventory manually)

1) You have the sword. You are done with the cave. You no longer need to set foot within the cave or even think about the cave. :)

2) You went back to the stump by the ocean? Good, you're on the right track! Who is by that stump who could REALLY benefit from something that restores voices?

3) GO BACK TO THE GARDEN! There's another feline (NOT THE LION! Stay out of the sunflowers!) you have to face in there. It's in the southeast corner of the main garden. Go find it. You can't defeat it, but you now have a furry friend (you gave him a snack, he is now your friend) who can - you just have to give him time to get there while you're facing the beast down.

Once you get past it, you will eventually find a building that you need the magic stone for. THEN try going back to the gnome for help.

-Mandi aka Chaos