This adaptation was made by Miss Adela J. Smith of New York City, and received honorable mention in a competition for schoolroom games conducted by the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City, in 1906. It is here published by the kind permission of the author, and of the Girls' Branch, and of Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Brothers, publishers of the handbook in which the game first appeared.
Each of the players except one chooses a word, which should be the name of some object, and in answering any questions put to him in the game he must introduce this word which he has chosen into each answer. The odd player takes the place of questioner. He may ask one or more questions of each player, as he sees fit, the dialogue taking any turn he chooses, the following being suggestive of the general tone of it:--
The questioner says: "I heard that you got into the hen roost yesterday. How did you get in?"
To the next player: "What did you find there?"
To the next player: "What did you give him to eat?"
Any player who laughs, or who fails to answer promptly or correctly to the question, must change places with the questioner. Forfeits may also be required if desired.
This game is played very much like "Simon says." It is a quiet game that may be played with all of the players seated, their forefingers placed on their knees or on a table or desk in front of them. One who is leader says:--
whereupon he lifts his own forefingers, pointing upward. Should he name an animal that has horns, all of the players lift their fingers in similar manner, but should he name an animal such as a cat, that has no horns, any player that lifts his fingers in imitation of the leader is out of the game.
For this game it will be necessary to prepare slips of paper, one for each player. At the head of the paper are written the initials of some person who will be present; under this a series of questions which the player drawing the paper is to answer. The papers are put in a box or hat and drawn by the players, or held in the hand with the initials concealed and drawn in that way. A certain time may be allowed, if desired, for the answering of the questions.
The answers must be written in each case immediately below the question, must consist of only as many words as there are initials at the top of the sheet, and the words of the answer must begin with the initials in their proper order. For example:--