In The Jungle of MUD

Virtual worlds you can hook into -- and get hooked on -- are the latest rage on the computer networks

You're in a tropical rain forest, trying to decide whether to explore the ruined Maya temple in the distance or climb into the forest canopy overhead, where you might see some monkeys. Suddenly there's a yellow-brown jaguar sitting on the branch above you, flicking his tail from side to side, his yellow eyes fixed on yours. Maybe climbing a tree isn't such a good idea after all. You don't think jaguars eat people, but rather than find out, you head off across the forest floor, turning this way and that, until you manage to get yourself hopelessly lost.

Don't panic. Just...

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