Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Magical Visit to the Home of the Gnomes

Episode Date: August 18, 2026

Narrator: Nadine Brown 🇬🇧 Writer: Frankie Regalia ✍️ Sound effects: crackling fire 🔥  Welcome back, sleepyheads. Tonight, we will venture into the world of Gnomes and embark on a magical, cosy adventure. 😴 Includes mentions of: Fantastical Elements, Fantastical Creatures, Beverages, Food, Enclosed Spaces, Rabbits, Community.  To receive our FREE weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JOIN OUR MAILING LIST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoy various playlists of our stories and meditations on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Slumber Studios Spotify profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Sleepy Premium Listen completely ad-free and access our entire catalogue of stories and meditations by subscribing to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠premium feed.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your support means the world to us and makes it possible to keep the show running! ❤️ Get your 7-day free trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠getsleepy.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Stay up to date on all our news and even vote on upcoming episodes! Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Apps Redeem exclusive unlimited access to Premium content for 1 month FREE in our mobile apps built by the Get Sleepy and Slumber Studios team: Deep Sleep Sounds: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deepsleepsounds.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Slumber: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumber.fm/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FAQs Have a query for us or need help with something? You might find your answer here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Get Sleepy FAQs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Get Sleepy Get Sleepy is the #1 storytelling podcast designed to help you get a great night’s rest. By combining sleep meditations with a relaxing bedtime story, each episode will guide you gently towards sleep. Thank you so much for listening! Feedback? Let us know your thoughts! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/contact-us/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. Check out our podcasts, apps, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. That’s all for now. Sweet dreams! ❤️ 😴 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name is Thomas, and it's my pleasure to be your host. Thanks so much for tuning in. This evening's tale was written by Frankie and will be read by Nadine. In the corners of the forest live the helpful fair. known as Gnomes. Tonight, we will venture into their world and embark on a magical, cozy adventure.

Before we begin, I invite you to make any adjustments you need to be as comfortable as possible. You might like to plump your pillow, move onto your side, or pull the covers a little, closer to your chin, or you might be perfectly cozy just as you are. Whenever you're ready, allow the sensation of sleepiness to gradually ease in and expel any lingering tension in the body

or activity in the mind as you settle down for rest, Just take some time to think back through your day. And in doing so, see if you can pick out one or two moments that might have gone by without much attention or acknowledgement, but ones that were moments of contentment or small achievements perhaps. Even these subtle, less sensational moments make up the journey of your day. So be appreciative, even for the tiny fleeting things, the sight of trees swaying in a soft breeze. The sound of gentle conversation between friends, neighbors or colleagues,

the smell of a favorite drink, or each nuanced taste of what you enjoyed for dinner. And of course, the comforting and rewarding feeling of your pillow supporting your head. Now that you're here at the end of your day's journey, take pride in the fact you accomplished another day in your life, no matter how it looked for you. And now, let those memories gently fade from your attention. as you breathe deeply and slowly, releasing any last bits of tension and any lingering thoughts. Now, imagine a room in a quaint stone cottage. It's lit by a warm fire and the cheerful glow of the light paints the room in golds and dam.

This is where our story begins. The warm light of the fire seems to mix effortlessly with the crisp sunlight that drifts in from the windows. A black cast iron kettle warms gently over the fire. On the scrubbed wooden table is a delicate porcelain teapot, waiting patiently. next to a jar of dried camomile flowers for tea. You rest comfortably in your wooden rocking chair, allowing the warmth of the fire and the satisfaction of a clean home to wash over you.

Sit on the precipice of a glorious day with nothing planned other than following the joyful urges of your heart. The water in the kettle begins to boil and you stand to prepare your tea. To a couple of spoonfuls of the dried flowers in the teapot and turn to take the kettle off the heat. As you pour the hot water into the teapot,

you enjoy the feeling of the steam, gently caressing your face. You replace the cattle and stir the tea before placing the lid on the teapot. The calming scent of chamomile already fills the air as you turn to the small, neat kitchen and reach for a cupboard. As you open it, a teacup tumbles out and falls on the stone counter, breaking neatly in half, it is no big deal. You gather up the two pieces and place them in the sink. The world is filled

with teacups, and the tea will taste just as good out of any of the tea. cup. When you turn to grab another teacup, you hear a gentle tinkling. You look back at the broken cup in the sink and find it miraculously. Oh, once again. Another tinkling sound draws your attention to the floor near the front door. Had you blinked, you would have missed it. A flash of deep red, like the color of autumn leaves. Entranced, you move towards the door. As you push it open, you catch a glimpse of the red again, hurrying down the path towards the neighbouring cottage.

Without a second thought, you are out the door and walking down the path behind the mysterious presence. Bright blue of the sky is decorated with two-toned clouds. They are a warm peachy. color on top and the palest pastel lavender on the underside. The smell of autumn is in the air and the leaves on the trees are just beginning to change. The bright greens and yellows of the deciduous trees stand in a beautifully stark contrast to the dark green lead you towards the other stone cottages in the village. Every now and again you see the flash before.

your eyes, the red thing seems to disappear at the wall of a cottage. You hurry over and peer in through the windows. The inside of the cottage is a little bit neglected and messy. An old woman sleeps peacefully in a comfy armchair near the fireplace. The fire itself is quite low, and she does not have any more wood. You wait with baited breath, barely daring. Barely daring. to blink in case you missed something. Just as you're about to give up hope and return home, you see something move in the cottage. The mysterious red thing moves around the room,

completely silently, but quicker than anything you have ever seen before. In its wake, it leaves clean surfaces, mended furnishings, and a general brightening. The cobwebs and dustburns, The fire starts cracking merrily and grows significantly. Stack of wood and kindling appears next.

Even the tattered quilt on the old woman seems to mend. All the while, the woman sleeps gently. The flurry of activity, cleaning and mending, comes to a gentle end when a steaming teapot and cup arrive on the small table, next to the old woman. She wakes up with a fluttering of her eyelids and looks around, cottage around her. Now, so cheerful and lovely,

the woman is overjoyed and accepts the tea on her table with a smile. You catch the flash of red again, sneaking out through a crack in an open window on the other side of the cottage. In an attempt to catch it, You run around the stone building. You find yourself travelling down another path,

though this one leads into the forest and away from the village. Your sense of urgency calms as you walk. Whenever you think you have lost sight of the little cleaner, you catch a glimpse of red, and you know you are on the right path. The trees sway gently in the breeze. On the way, you admire the last flowers of summer, still straining for the sun. Bumblebees and honeybees bob here and there, collecting the last pollen of the season,

so they can store up for winter. Pass under the boughs of a wild apple tree, a small green apples, not yet ready to be eaten, but growing fast. In this part of the trees are laid. dense, but they're larger and taller. You cannot see the tops of these silent sentinels through their thick and leafy boughs. They are trees you don't recognize. You think they must be evergreens because their branches are heavy with long, dark green needles. Running your hand over a branch, you are surprised to find that the needles are for trees that are so tall, their lowest branches are quite close to the ground.

You could easily climb up them, and their thickness would hold you more securely than a ladder. Their girthy roots erupt from the ground here and there, in great big loops and arches. More than once, you have to climb under rather than over the roots, pausing, you look around. You find yourself in a grove of these trees. They are arranged in a large circle with you at the centre. Their roots reach out and intertwine with their neighbours. You peer around, looking for the centre.

that oh so familiar flash of red. When you do spot it, it is slipping between some roots and into a dark hole. The hole is big enough for you to crawl through easily. But you pause. Should you follow? This creature, whatever it is, is probably a kindly thing. It helped that old woman and fix your teacup. If you turn back now and go home to your surely cold tea, you will wonder about it forever. And who knows if you will be able to find this grove again on your own? You nod to yourself, mind made up,

and you make your way to the spot where the red flash disappeared. You crouch down next to the opening, and are surprised to find that a warm, welcoming, air blows from the hole. It does not smell rank or dirty, but carries the scent of pine and freshly baked bread. You crawl forward and find that a few feet into the tunnel, the hard-packed earth of the ground, is replaced by a thick carpet of soft moss. You can feel the velvety softness between your fingers. It is so thick and luxurious. that you have the urge to lie down and take the most restful nap ever.

As you continue, the darkness is pushed away by warm little points of yellow and orange light on the walls of the tunnel. They glow like illuminated amber embedded into the earth around you. After some time, the tunnel opens up into a wider cavern. Here, the glowing deep. The glowing Pieces of amber are large and suspended from what appear to be the roots of the trees above. These roots run through the entire room, creating archways and side chambers. The walls of the great cavern resemble those of a beehive. There are small openings all along them, serving the smaller rooms that overlook the main gathering space. Mushrooms grow from every available space on the walls.

They range from groups of small-capped mushrooms to large shelf-like ones, which function as balconies for the holes in the walls. The mushrooms are in every colour imaginable, adding an earthy brightness to their surroundings. The most remarkable thing about the burrow, however, is the occupants, clothed in shades of burnt orange, brick red, moss green, dark emerald and earthy brown. The tallest ones are no larger than your hand, and they all have bright, friendly eyes. They look at you, not with alarm, but with joyful welcome.

You cannot help but smile back at them. Some poke their heads out of the holes in the walls. While others are gathered on the main floor, the brief pause and activity at your entrance course ends as quickly as it began. The little creatures go back to their business and tasks. A few of them come up to greet you. From the colour of its red cloak, you recognised one of them as being the one that you were following.

You learn that this is a gnome burrow and that these creatures are gnomes. The gnomes welcome you heartily and encourage you to stay with them for as long as you like. They quickly find a comfortable place for you to sit. Several more gnomes hurry up to you, carrying a large earthenware bowl between them. They offer it to you eagerly. You thank them and accept their own. gift, you lift the bowl to your face. It is warm and smells comforting. You take a sip of the liquid inside. It tastes like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and honey. The drink warms you from the top

of your head to the tips of your toes and fills you with a feeling of complete satisfaction. As you sip your delicious refreshment, you look around. The holes in the world. The holes in the walls seem to serve as individual apartments or bedrooms for the gnomes. You peek into a couple of the closer ones. Inside each one is what looks like dollhouse furniture made completely from natural materials. It doesn't take you long to notice a side chamber where a team of gnome carpenters are making furniture. One of them weaves a rope, like material from long pieces of grass. This rope is then used to bind together twigs and sticks, making the frames for chairs,

beds, couches, tables and more. The mattresses of their beds are stuffed with the fluffy tops of dandelions and covered in mossy blankets. As the carpenter's work, others move around them. filling their supplies, bringing tiny mugs of tea, and generally making sure they have everything they need. The main floor of the borough is organised around a small fire. It seems like a small fire to you, but it is a huge bonfire to the gnomes. There is a bowl-shaped hull dug into the ground and lined with stones. Inside is the fire, over which hangs a car.

cast iron pot. A team of gnomes are constantly tending the fire in the cauldron. Some of them coordinate the use of a long wooden spoon to stir the pot, while others add herbs and other flavourings to the mixture. Nearby, a team of happy and chattering gnomes chopped vegetables. Some of the children and older gnomes are already forming a line near the cooking. pot. Waiting patiently with bowls.

You notice a very young gnome holding the hand of her grandmother as they wait for their turn to be served. Once the gnomes get their share of the food, they stream to long tables and benches along one wall of the cavern. The red-capped gnome tells you that in the borough there is always food cooking and someone eating. They all take turns to cook, clean and eat. Some more gnomes hurry up to you, with a bowl of soup fresh from the communal pot. You accept it, handing back your now empty drink bell, and are immediately hit by the tantalizing scent of the food. You have a taste and enjoy the

flavors of early harvest vegetables and fresh herbs. You know you could not recreate this soup if you had a hundred years to do so. A large slice of brown bread appears on your knee as well. Slathered in fresh butter, you take it gratefully, enjoying the perfect combination of textures and tastes. As you enjoy your homie meal, you watch the activity across the borough. A group of gnomes, covered in flour, are turning a large wheel. You realize that they are milling wheat for flour.

As you watch, they take the milled flour to the chamber next door, where another little group of bakers are hard at work baking bread. Perfect assembly line of needers, mixers, and those attending the rising dough. The gnomes even have their own stone oven at the back. in the bottom chamber of the oven. They tend to bright orange fire, and in the top chamber, they place bundles of dough,

which turn into fresh loaves of bread. The exact organisation and coordination mesmerises you. Everything the gnomes do is a perfect symphony of helping hands and cheerful voices. They make sure their friends and peers get breaks and are never doing too much. Air and the love they have for one another is infectious. You feel the urge, but every time you offer, they insist that as a guest you must not lift a finger.

They assure you with a laugh that next time you visit, you will be allowed to help to tent yourself with your observations. One group of gnomes is hard at work at a set of looms and spinning wheels. They create beautiful balls of yarn, which then will. become woven into clothing, bedding and cloth of all kinds. Asking your new friends, you learn that they create the yarn by helping the animals of the forest every spring. Animals such as foxes, bears, wolves, deer, and so many more, start to shed their heavy winter coats in the spring. The gnomes brush their animal neighbours. Collect the fur, wash it and weave it into clothes for themselves.

As a result, their clothes are all very earthy tones that help them blend into their forest home. The gnomes say that they were the ones to teach humans how to weave many years ago. As humans became more advanced and their population grew, they needed to create bigger, more complex systems for making cloth, but the gnomes are still happy with their simple tools. Every gnome you talk to speaks about humans, like a proud mother, talks about how grown-up children.

You gather that the gnomes are very old. They have spent their innumerable years watching over humans and lending a helping hand here and there. The gnomes are a modest people and don't like to cause a fuss, which is why they prefer to stay relatively hidden from human eyes. They are always happy to receive guests, however, and they love making new friends like you. A group of tiny gnome children run around the cavern constantly.

They chase one another, playing games whose rules are as changeable as the sea, and completely mystifying to any adult. Now they approach you hesitantly, unsure what you are or how to address you. A particularly brave and small one pushes their way to the front of the group and asks you boldly if they can play on you. You answer yes with a laugh. Quick as a flash, the little gnome children are climbing up your clothes, inspecting you closely and asking you a million questions.

Their curiosity is delightful. I know as little about you as you do about them, and they are not shy about asking. Before you know it, you find yourself trying to explain things, like jobs, governments and cows. One of the known children calls to the others, and they all gather at the far end of the borough. They huddle together with squeals of delight.

they bring the source of their excitement over to show you, clearly deciding that you are now one of their number. The adults look on with amused smiles. Children reveal a baby bunny hopping among them. The little rabbit looks up at you with bright eyes. You reach down and stroke its soft fur with a finger it could easily fit in the palm of your hand. But the gnomes are so small.

small, that the rabbit comes up to their waists, like a large dog. The gnome children begin the circuit of the burrow again, this time with the bunny hopping along beside them. They run and laugh, chasing one another and letting their pet chase them. A while later, a group of adult gnomes comes up to you. They offer to bring you with them as they go back up to the surface. It is well past midday now, they assure you, and they need to tend to the gnome gardens. Intrigued, you agree to go with them. The gnomes lead you through another tunnel, chatting happily or singing to themselves. The tunnel is very similar to the one you took down to the burrow, and you are very happy you have your gnome guides with you. Otherwise, you definitely would not know the way. It is not far

of the surface, and you can see sunlight streaming into the tunnel before you reach the entrance. You follow the gnomes out to the warm day. The sun has indeed moved further across the sky, but there are still several hours left before sunset. You have emerged from under the roots of another one of the strange pine trees, though this one sits at the edge of a clearing. The gnomes get to work immediately, splitting off to tend to their plants. They encourage you to look around and ask any questions that you might have. Unlike a human vegetable garden or farm, which would grow produce in neat lines or manicured beds, the gnomes encourage wild growth. They cut back the weeds and the parts of the plants that need to be trimmed. But for the most part, they encourage everything to grow,

lush and untamed. A raspberry thicket bears ripe fruit like rubies. Next to it, a blackberry patch has some glistening ripe berries. A tree above the bushes has branches heavy with perfect purple plums. A neighboring tree is loaded with cherries. Unable to resist, you reach up and pick one. The cherry is a perfect balance between sweet and tart. On the ground, large green leaves can be pushed aside to show emerald green corsets,

bright red tomatoes and bunches of beans. You also notice many heads of leafy lettuces, cabbages and the like. The gnomes dart about, inspecting the health of their crops, and harvesting everything that is ripe. Younger gnomes act as runners, constantly taking fresh food into the burrow and returning with empty hands to grab more. You notice a group of gnomes gathered around a log

at the edge of the clearing and walk over to investigate. They are nurturing a crop of mushrooms. The mushrooms in the burrow offer structure or decoration. but these are for food. Each gnome takes a mushroom that is at least twice its own size and carries these to the borough as well.

You offer to help, but they wave you off with polite dismissals. You take their advice and sit in the sunshine watching the work buzz around you. A few other gnomes who are not gardening come to join you. They bring with them

a huge bundle of long grasses, question them about their occupation, and they tell you that they are weaving basket. Old ones, but to teach you how to weave, to which you enthusiastically agree. Basquets are very small, but they show you their methods with unending patience and good humour. It is not long before your fingers catch the skill of it, and your basket starts taking shape. As you weave the long grasses together and secure them to one another. You reflect on the gnomes and their way of life, always weaving together in many ways, help one another and take some part in every ives are woven together

through cooperation, support and learning. Those who have mastered certain skills, pass them along to others. In a way, they have woven you into their world, as well. That is another of their strengths, the ability to change their plans, and adapt when something unexpected arrives. Like a human climbing into their borough, their sense of community reaches far beyond that of other gnomes. The way they fixed your teacup and cleaned the old woman's cottage in the village is just another sign of the way they interact with the world. Old woman has probably gone her whole life without seeing or speaking to a gnome.

They see that she needs help and think of her as an extension of themselves, like the animals of the forest and even the produce in their garden, caretakers. In every sense of the word, you sit in the clearing with the gnomes, weaving and laughing. They are always laughing and joking. The sun creeps across the sky, and the shadows lengthen as you sit there. You finish your basket along with the others, and everyone begins to pack away their things to return to the borough. A few gnomes offer to walk you back to your cottage. You say goodbye to your new friends, and they eagerly encourage you to come back for a visit soon.

Then you leave the clearing with a few gnome guides. A dappled sunlight that comes through the trees is no longer gold, but a deep fiery orange, a sign of the impending sunset. Your guides are regaling you, with stories of the parties and celebrations they hold in the autumn. Just a few weeks from now, they are trying to entice you back for another visit. but you know you are already convinced. Soon you notice that trees you recognise

have started to appear once again. You pause for a moment, next to one of the strange fir trees and rest a hand on its trunk. You will be back. As you and your companions approach the edge of the forest, they begin to get quieter and harder to spot. They make sure you never look.

lose sight of them, but they are no longer laughing and singing loudly or walking out in the open. Finally, you pause as you come to a path that leads right to your front door. The gnomes come out from beneath the shrubs and underbrush to bid you farewell. You warmly tell them that you'll see them again soon and that they are always welcome in your cottage. After a final goodbye, they disappear into the forest. and you turn towards home. As you walk the last little bit of the journey, you can't help but look for flashes of gnomes around you,

even up to your front door, but seen on. Opening the wooden door, you enter your cosy, familiar cottage. After a long and exciting day, you want nothing more than to melt into your rocking chair. As you settle yourself, you notice that the fire is populous, as if you just lit it, the warmth washes over you, like a friendly embrace.

Put the teapot you left on the table this morning, and notice steam curling from the spout. You smile to yourself and pour a cup, silently thanking your new friends.