King Peppy was clearly bored in the marketplace while he was eating.

He said to himself, "Man, what I wouldn't give to have at least some excitement today."

Just then...

"Yippee!"

Poppy was sitting at a table with Branch and Barb.

She shouted, "I'm rich! Look, you guys, eight gold doubloons!"

Peppy went at them, "Honey, save it for your birthday savings!"

Peppy got to the table, but didn't see any doubloons, "Huh?"

Barb said, "Sheesh, you sure are restless today."

Peppy then asked, "What's this? Where are the doubloons?"

Branch chuckled, "There are no real doubloons, King Peppy. It's a game."

They showed him the game board.

Branch explained, "It's called Treasure Hunt. We hunt for pirate treasure."

Poppy said, "It even says it's based on a real treasure map."

Barb asked, "Why don't you join us?"

King Peppy didn't have anything else to do, so he agreed to join.

Poppy said, "Barb, I believe it's your turn."

Barb rolled the dice.

"Five."

She moved up five spaces and took a card.

"'One of your shipmates has been a bad pirate. Send him to the brig'."

Barb thought about which one she should send to the brig.

Poppy pointed her eyes at Branch.

Barb said, "It's off to jail for you, Branch."

Branch playfully said in defeat, "Aw, darn! I skip a turn!"

Poppy said, "My turn."

She rolled the dice.

She moved up four spaces and took a card.

"'Look for the deacon's goose through the fork in the old tree and head that way'."

Poppy looked through the little plastic tree.

"Well, I see Dad's zipper is undone."

Peppy gasped, "Double scoop my sundae!"

Poppy laughed, "Just a joke, Dad. I'm almost to the treasure."

Poppy gave Peppy the dice, "Your turn, Dad."

Peppy rolled it.

"Snake eyes!"

He moved two paces and took a card.

"'You are a real pirate. Go straight to the "X" that marks the spot'."

Poppy said, "That means you get to dig for treasure!"

Poppy handed him a little shovel.

Peppy dug the small bit of sand in the middle of the game board and found...

"The treasure chest! I found it!"

Poppy said, "Wasn't that fun?"

Peppy answered, "I'll say. Let's play again! This is my kind of game!"

They all played again...for the next five hours.

It was night.

Branch said, "I think we ought to call it a night. I really gotta get some sleep."

Barb said, "Yeah, I gotta get home to feed Debbie."

However, Peppy said, "Oh, you can't walk out on me now."

Poppy said, "Sorry, Dad. Maybe we'll play some other time. Good night, everyone."

Everyone but Peppy then left for home.

***

Poppy came home, but heard someone inside, "Who's there?"

It was her father with the game board, "Come on, honey. One more game. I can smell the treasure."

Poppy said, "Dad, it's late! Go to bed!"

Peppy just continued, "But, Dad-"

"Quiet, honey. If the captain hears you, we'll never get his treasure."

"But, Dad-"

"I'll role for you."

"Dad-"

"Eight paces. That's a good start, honey."

"But, Dad-"

"One, two, three-"

"KING PEPPY! I WANT TO GO TO BED!"

That got his attention.

Poppy said, "Dad, I'm sorry, but it's just a game, you know?"

Peppy realized she was right and finally called it a night.