Hangman Game in Python

This was my original solution / approach for the popular MitX Python Hangman Problem. Full Code : [login to view URL] However, I am no Dev and this is me having some fun with my niece. So, she asked, "where is the hangman ? Where is the Scaffold ?" Why does it take forever to load ? Why can I only play once ? " :( I am telling you, tough crowd we have on our hands ... lol :) I have a pretty basic understanding on how to give her what she asks but not sure how to implement it on my code : 1. The computer loads a list of X amount of words from a file, but it takes a ridiculous amount of time to load the file and pick a word. 2. After each failed attempt, display the scaffold and a piece of the Hangman. There must be a more efficient way of doing this : if (guesses == 0): print "_________" print "| |" print "|" print "|" print "|" print "|" print "|________" elif (guesses == 1): print "_________" print "| |" print "| O" print "|" print "|" print "|" print "|________" elif (guesses == 2): print "_________" print "| |" print "| O" print "| |" print "| |" print "|" print "|________" elif (guesses == 3): print "_________" print "| |" print "| O" print "| \|" print "| |" print "|" print "|________" elif (guesses == 4): print "_________" print "| |" print "| O" print "| \|/" print "| |" print "|" print "|________" elif (guesses == 5): print "_________" print "| |" print "| O" print "| \|/" print "| |" print "| / " print "|________" elif (guesses == 6): print "_________" print "| |" print "| O" print "| \|/" print "| |" print "| / \ " print "|________" print "\n" 3. Between guesses, clear screen and keep it clean , just guessed letters, and the scaffold. 4. Keep track of how many games have been played / won / lost and whether to play again or not. While true : do X else break() Can you please help ? Thanks.