You crouch behind the couch, following the cookie dragging the giant spoon. It's so big, it leaves a trail in the flour dust on the floor. "Heave-ho!" he grunts. "We'll need this for our journey—never know when you'll need to paddle through cocoa!" You bite your lip to keep from laughing. A gingerbread cookie planning for cocoa puddles? This is getting ridiculous. He struggles down the hall, the spoon clattering loudly. You follow on tiptoe as he pushes through the pet door. You peek outside. Moonlight glimmers on the snow. The cookie is trudging across the yard, dragging the spoon behind him like a brave explorer. You pull on your boots and coat, determined not to lose him. Your breath puffs in white clouds as you step outside. Suddenly, he trips, and the spoon catapults into the air—landing right in a pile of snow. "Abandon spoon! Too heavy for the mission!" You stifle a giggle and kneel down beside him. His gumdrop buttons glimmer faintly. "Look," you say softly, "if you tell me what you're doing, I can help you." He hesitates, then straightens his frosting shoulders. "You… you'd help us?" You nod. "If you promise not to run away again." He thinks for a moment, then nods his head. "Deal."