Gossip Stone

Gossip Stones are objects found in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. They also appear in The Wind Waker, although in a different form.

These odd devices do and say different things depending on the game in which they appear. Gossip Stones can tell time, reveal information that they've heard, give helpful hints, or even reveal the locations of treasure chests.

According to the Ocarina of Time's in-game description, the statue speaks to Link by piercing into his mind.

Ocarina of Time
Link can speak to the Gossip Stones while wearing the Mask of Truth. Gossip Stones say a variety of things, some of which is helpful, some of which is typical conversational dialog. Their most defining characteristic though, is their reaction to certain stimuli, provided by Link himself. If Link sets a Bomb off near a Gossip Stone, it will flash blue and rocket to the sky. Likewise, these strange stones will spin around when exposed by Din's Fire, and flatten out if hit by the Megaton Hammer. If Link plays Zelda's Lullaby, Sun's Song or the Song of Storms nearby one of these Gossip Stones, they will release a fairy. The most common and useful reaction is in response to a sword strike, in which the stone simply tells the time.

What they say
In front of the Temple of Time (Right to Left).
 * "They say that Malon set the original record in the obstacle course of Lon Lon Ranch."
 * "They say that Malon of Lon Lon Ranch hopes a knight in shining armor will come and sweep her off her feet someday."
 * "They say that it is against the rules to use glasses at the Treasure Chest Shop in Hyrule Castle Town Market."
 * "They say that Gerudos sometimes come to Hyrule Castle Town to look for boyfriends."

After climbing up the vines at Hyrule Castle.
 * "They say that if you get close to a butterfly while holding a Deku Stick in your hands, something good will happen."

Kokiri Forest in front of the Lost Woods.
 * "They say that the small holes in the ground that you can find all over Hyrule make perfect breeding ground for bugs."

In the Lost Woods past the Skull Mask Kid.
 * "They say that when non-fairy folken enter the Lost Woods they become monsters!"

Sacred Forest Meadow (Front to Back).
 * "The owl named Kaepora Gaebora is the reincarnation of an ancient Sage."
 * "They say that strange owl, Kaepora Gaebora, may look big and heavy, but its character is rather light hearted."

Sacred Forest Meadow in front of the Forest Temple
 * "They say it's possible to find a total of 100 Gold Skulltulas through out Hyrule."

In front of the Shadow Temple.
 * "They say there is a secret near a tree in Kakariko Village."

Death Mountain while climbing to the peak.
 * "They say that Biggoron's Sword is super sharp and will never break."

Death Mountain Crater entering from the peak.
 * "They say Medigoron didn't really think about his own size, so his store is really cramped."

Lake Hylia near the Waterfall.
 * "They say that there is a secret road that leads to Lake Hylia."

Zora's Fountain close to the Zora's Domain entrance.
 * "They say that there is a secret near the lone tree which is not far from the river in the north west part of Hyrule Field."

Zora's Fountain in front of the Great Fairy's Fountain.
 * "They say that you can swim faster by continuously pressing B."

Zora's Domain in front of King Zora.
 * "They say that players who select the "HOLD" option for "Z TARGETING" are real "Zelda players!""

Zora's River near the entrance to the Zora's Domain.
 * "They say Princess Zelda's nanny is actually one of the Sheikah, many thought had died out."

In various holes through out Hyrule.
 * "They say that the horse Ganondorf rides is a solid black Gerudo stallion."

Zora's River on the highest point.
 * "They say that there is a man who can always be found running around Hyrule Field."

Hyrule Field near Gerudo in a hole.
 * "They say that there is a switch that you can activate only by using the Spin Attack."

Gerudo Valley lower Waterfall.
 * "They say that the thief named Nabooru, who haunts this area, is a Gerudo."

Closer to Hyrule Castle.
 * "They say that, contrary to her elegant image, Princess Zelda of Hyrule Castle is, in fact, a tomboy!"

In a hole near a tree near Hyrule Castle.
 * "They say that you may find something new in dungeons that you have already finished."

Near the Spirit Temple on the South side.
 * "They say that the treasure you can earn in the Gerudo's Training Ground is not as great as you would expect, given its difficulty."

Inside the Goron City in the Boulder Room.
 * "They say that there is a secret around the entrance to Gerudo Valley."

On the Northwest side of the Deku Tree.
 * "They say Kokiri are always followed by small fairies."

On the Northeast side of the Deku Tree.
 * "They say that one Kokiri has left the forest, but he is still alive!"

(This is a hidden Gossip Stone. To see how to get there, click here.)

In the extra child chapters of the Ocarina of Time manga, Link activates a Gossip Stone by hitting it, which reveals that Mido still wets his bed and that the Deku Tree is troubled that he cannot scratch his own back.

Majora's Mask
When the Gossip Stone is attacked by Link's sword, the screen will shake and the stone will make a high-pitched noise. It will then tell Link how many more hours remain until the Moon crashes into Termina. If Link speaks to the ones scattered all over Termina using the Mask of Truth, it will him give information regarding certain people or places.

What they say
On the east side of Termina Field just north of eastern exit
 * "It seems that the hideout of Sakon, the thief, is tucked away at the edge of Ikana Canyon."

On the north side of Termina Field to the east of the exit
 * "Anju, the woman at the inn, is known for being careless and frequently mixes up guests."

Western part of Termina Field, by a fountain
 * "The symbol of marriage, the Couple's Mask seems to have the power to calm and silence arguments."

In Termina Field, at the base of the tree by the Milk Road entrance
 * "It seems that you can become a Milk Bar member if you do a good deed at the ranch."

In Termina Field, at the base of the tree by the southern exit
 * "It seems that the crows that fly near the town walls are fond of musical instruments."

In Termina Field, within the fence that surrounds the Astral Observatory
 * "The postman puts his delivery schedule before everything else, but priority mail is of even greater importance."

Termina Field, in any of the special four holes
 * "It seems the face of the slightly larger, strange stone changes when the pipes of awakening  are played."
 * "It seems the face of the slightly larger, strange stone changes when the drums of sleep  are played."
 * "It seems the face of the slightly larger, strange stone changes when the guitar of waves  is played."
 * "It seems all the strange stones that are arranged in a row wish to be the same color."

Road to the Southern Swamp
 * "It seems the veranda door of the town's Stock Pot Inn has carelessly been left unlocked..."

Southern Swamp, behind potion shop
 * "The Swamp Tourist Center will not accept pictographs taken outside the swamp. But if you bring a pictograph of the guide's son, he'll give you something nice..."

Swamp Spider House
 * "The mask that can see into people's hearts and minds also seems to work on animals as well..."

Path to Mountain Village, near the middle
 * "The gold dust won as the prize in the Goron Races in spring can be used by the smithy to forge a sword. Or it can be sold to the smithy for 40 Rupees, but the Curiosity Shop will buy it for 200 Rupees..."

Path to Darmani's Grave, Mountain Village (Springtime)
 * "The frogs that are supposed to gather in the mountain when spring arrives are elsewhere. You need Don Gero's Mask to bring them together. The frogs in Clock Town, the swamp, Woodfall Temple, and Great Bay Temple make four..."

In Mountain Village (Springtime), near the Frog Choir
 * "A small, lost horse seems to have been taken in by Romani Ranch, south of town."

Milk Road
 * "The spirit of a charismatic dancer who died in Termina Field dances there night after night."

Romani Ranch, near the entrance
 * "It seems Keaton, the ghost fox, plays tricks in the grass..."

Romani Ranch, at the base of a tree to the south
 * "The animal bandleader's mask seems to have the strange power of making young animals mature."

Romani Ranch, by the barn
 * "It seems the Kafei, whose whereabouts are unknown, is awaiting a letter from Anju..."

Romani Ranch, in the Cucco Shack
 * "A torture device of insomnia called the All-Night Mask seems to be available at the Curiosity Shop..."

Romani Ranch, in the Doggy Racetrack
 * "It seems that drinking Chateau Romani makes your magic power last for three days..."

Great Bay, just past the Zora game
 * "To get Evan to listen to Mikau and Japas's song from their music session, you should not try demonstrating it as Mikau. It seems if you pose as someone unrelated to the band and begin playing it, you just might get him to lend an ear."

Great Bay, by the entrance to the Pirate's Fortress
 * "The reward for Romani's nighttime assistant seems to be something that holds milk..."

Road to Ikana Canyon
 * "If you use the Lens of Truth near here and speak to the man you find... you may earn a mask that can enable you to blend into backgrounds and move about without being noticed."

Ikana Canyon, by the Ghost hut
 * "Pamela, who lives in the music box house, comes out every two minutes when the music box is playing. But it seems she will also come out if she hears a bomb explode..."

In Ikana Canyon, on the dock
 * "It seems the ReDeads that appear in Ikana Castle start dancing when the Captain's Hat, Gibdo Mask or Garo's Mask are worn. But the does not change things much..."

In Ikana Canyon, across the ravine from Sakon's Hideout
 * "The Fierce Deity's Mask, a mask that contains the merits of all masks seems to be... somewhere in this world..."

Moon Gossip Stones
The Gossip Stones in the dungeons on the Moon give the locations to every normal mask in the game.

Odolwa Dungeon
 * "It seems the Gorman Brothers were using Garo's Mask for ill..."
 * "It seems Cremia, the owner of Romani Ranch, had Romani's Mask..."
 * "It seems the leader of the Gorman Troupe had the Circus Leader's Mask.."
 * "It seems the postman had the Postman's Hat..."
 * "It seems Kafei and Anju had the Couple's Mask..."

Goht Dungeon
 * "It seems Kamaro, the spirit dancer, had Kamaro's Mask..."
 * "It seems Skull Keeta, Captain of the Skull Knights, had the Captain's Hat..."
 * "It seems the Gibdo Mask could fall from Pamela's father's cursed face..."
 * "It seems the hungry Goron was wearing Don Gero's Mask..."
 * "It seems the Great Fairy in town had the Great Fairy's Mask..."

Gyorg Dungeon
 * "It seems Shiro, the unseen stone soldier, had the Stone Mask...
 * "It seems Guru-Guru, the traveling musician, had the Bremen Mask...
 * "It seems the old woman with the Bomb Bag had the Blast Mask...
 * "It seems the Giant's Mask was dormant in Stone Tower Temple..."
 * "It seems the Deku Scrub butler had the Mask of Scents..."

Twinmold Dungeon
 * "It seems the one cursed by the strange, sparkling gold spiders had the Mask of Truth...
 * "It seems his mother, Madame Aroma, had Kafei's Mask..."
 * "It seems the All-Night Mask was being sold at the Curiosity Shop..."
 * "It seems Grog of the Cucco Shack had the Bunny Hood..."
 * "It seems the owner of the Curiosity Shop was keeping the Keaton Mask..."

The Wind Waker
Link is given the Pirate's Charm by Tetra in The Wind Waker, and he uses it to communicate with Tetra and the King of Red Lions. It fulfills a similar purpose to the role played by Navi in Ocarina of Time. It is revealed later on that the Pirate's Charm is actually an enhanced version of the Gossip Stone made by the King of Hyrule himself.

Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass, some Gossip Stones speak to Link without any conditions needing to be met, revealing hints that could become helpful later on. Other Gossip Stones, specifically the ones in dungeons, reveal how many Treasure Chests are left to discover. For a price of 20 Rupees, the stones show where those Treasure Chests are located.

On Harrow Island, a Gossip Stone near where Link docks the boat runs a Digging Game.

Spirit Tracks
Gossip Stones appear again in Spirit Tracks, but this time they seem to have a more feminine appearance. Normally they are unresponsive even when hit, but if the Song of Awakening is played nearby, they'll speak. Like in Phantom Hourglass, the Gossip Stones in dungeons reveal the amount of Treasure Chests on the floor they are currently in for a fee of 20 Rupees. Other Gossip Stones appear in several sanctuaries that reveal hints or other useful information. In Lost at Sea Station, there is a Gossip Stone that allows Link to enter the temple located in said station.

Trivia

 * If a bomb is placed next to a Gossip Stone in Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask, it will begin a countdown while changing colors and will shoot off like a rocket. By hitting them with the sword before they take off, they will stay the color they were. They can also be smashed into the ground using the Megaton Hammer or by pounding it as Goron Link. By using Din's Fire on one, the Stone will spin around and inexplicably stretch to double its height, soon snapping back to normal.
 * In the german version, the hidden Gossip Stone behind the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time says: "Man sagt, dass etwas Rätselhaftes passiert, wenn man während des Spiels den Resetknopf drückt." (They say, something mysterious will happen, if one presses the resest button while playing). Of course, all that happens is a reset of the game, sending you back to the title screen.