David the Gnome
Taken from the Book Series published by Orbis Publishing Ltd., London, England
Now for the first time since the days when wizards and witches ruled the land, humans are allowed to see some of the treasures that lie inside The Secret Book of the Gnomes. For thousands of years, these little people with full-sized hearts have made careful notes on the world around them, knowing that one day others would share in their wisdom.
My name is David and I am a wood gnome. Wood gnomes are loved and protected by all the creatures around them. We build our homes beneath the roots of a tree. The roof tiles are often made from pine-cone scales. If you have an old bird house around you might like to shingle it in pine cone scales. Be sure to fasten them on with something that will survive the outdoors - like outdoor wood glue!
I, David the Gnome, will reveal to you many parts of The Secret Book. We will begin with the year when, according to our calendar, 'The Butterflies Flew Backwards'.
But why don't we show everyone the whole book? Well, there are two very special reasons. First, because it is so big; too big even to fit into the great library of Alexandria in Egypt, the largest and most famous library the world has ever seen. This library was destroyed by fire but please take a look at the plans to rebuild it by visiting the following site www.unesco.org/webworld/alexandria_new/index.html and see for yourself how massive it is going to be. And second, because our Code of Basilea forbids humans from seeing certain parts of The Secret Book. Now listen very carefully as I pass on what the Great Gnome has allowed me to tell you.
Although I am 275 years old, I am not really old at all. My parents and even my grandparents are still alive. I am only 15 cm tall, but my cap makes me look much taller. I wear a red one so that my friends the birds don't mistake me for a mouse as I scurry through the forest after nightfall. Male gnomes let their beards grow and grow. We only ever trim them for special occasions like weddings, visits from relatives or before setting out on long journeys. Most King Gnomes have beards that extend to the floor!
We gnomes are small and light and can move through the woodlands remarkably quickly, jumping over obstacles with the greatest of ease. The animals are our neighbors and our neighborhood is the world. Even if nobody sees us, we are watching you!
So look around you carefully. If one day you notice that a ball left in the garden has moved or that a broken lamp is now mysteriously working, you can be sure there is a gnome about.
Lisa is my wife and she too is a wood gnome. Female wood gnomes always wear green or blue hats. They remind us of the sky above and the forest all around. But sometimes they wear red ones just to confuse people! Lisa is only 200 years old and still very young for a wood gnome. She weighs between 250 and 275 grams, slightly less than me. I weigh about 300 grams. Lisa and her female friends enjoy wearing more colorful clothes and caps when attending special functions - especially weddings!
'Look around you. There are many things to see, that some would say could never be.
These things I know. It's true and I will tell you so. They are there to see, if you believe.
Trolls and wizards and fairy kings, birds that talk and fish that sing.
And if your heart is true, then you will find them too.
In every wish and dream and happy home, you will find a kingdom of the Gnomes.'
''Are you mankind or kind of a man?''
''There's no fruit on the tree without the roots.''
