Read by Matilda Longbottom

TTwinkle Star reaches the end of the Dragon Bridge and gazes out over the gnome village. She is finally here, and the sight is beyond her wildest imagination. Standing on her tiptoes, she surveys the village before gracefully stepping down from the bridge. Everything appears larger than life to her, though to a human, it would still be quite small. After a moment of hesitation, she takes a bold step off the bridge.

As she strolls slowly towards the village, Twinkle Star is captivated by the serene quietness that envelops the surroundings. Unlike the lively hustle and bustle of her own village, there is an unusual calm in the air. No laughter, no cheers—just an eerie silence. Undeterred, she continues, eager to unravel the mysteries that await.

Twinkle Star arrives at the first gnome house and is pleasantly surprised by their quaint charm. The houses, made from old tree stumps and neglected wood, boast distinctive bright doors. The village is a spectrum of colors, with doors in vibrant hues like bright red, buttercup yellow, and more. Amused by the uniqueness of each home, Twinkle Star proceeds, passing one after another.

As she reaches the village square, Twinkle Star notices that, despite its larger size, it bears a resemblance to her own. A pond with lily pads and frogs, dragonflies lazily buzzing overhead—elements of nature that mirror her fairy village. However, there’s a rustic simplicity here; simple branches serve as seating, and a teeter-totter crafted from wood and rocks stands where ornate swings would be. The one stark difference—there’s no sign of gnomes.

Intrigued by a light tapping sound in the distance, Twinkle Star decides to venture beyond the square to uncover its source. Perhaps she’ll find someone who can shed light on the village’s secrets. Following a path around the pond and into a wooded area, the tapping grows louder. She stumbles upon another gnome house, one with a buttercup yellow door. The tapping suddenly ceases, and as she cautiously tiptoes around the side, a booming voice calls out, “Who goes there?”

Startled, Twinkle Star falls to the ground. Looking up, she sees a gnome with a blue floppy hat and overalls over a yellow shirt, holding a small hammer. The gnome notices her discomfort and immediately tries to put her at ease. “Please do not be frightened. I did not mean to startle you. My name is Igor.” Igor holds out his hand to help Twinkle Star to her feet. “I hope you are not harmed in any way.”

To Twinkle Star’s amazement, the backyard reveals one of the most beautiful gardens she has ever seen—filled with bright dahlias, swaying lilies and daffodils, a climbing rosebush, and a lush carpet of emerald green grass. Stunned, she spins to take in the breathtaking sight.

Igor, amused by her surprise, explains the secret of the gnomes—they are the keepers of the gardens, caring for them during the night. Gnomes turn to stone during the day if caught in a human’s garden, preserving their secret. He explains to Twinkle Star that this has sometimes caused people and other creatures to fear them. “Unfortunately,” he says, “sometimes when we were turned into stone there has been a cross look upon our faces. This led people to think that we are mean and angry creatures. Since then, we have tried to smile as we turn to stone.”

Twinkle Star questions, “But why do I not see anyone in the town today?”

Igor chuckles again, “Well, since we work all night long, we tend to sleep during the day. You are only seeing me because I noticed a loose board in the fence and woke up early to get it fixed.” Twinkle Star smiles, thinking that this explains so much. As Twinkle Star absorbs this newfound knowledge, Igor invites her for lemonade and cookies. They spend the next hour discussing the similarities and differences between the fairy and gnome villages, realizing that, at their core, they share much in common.

Time passes quickly, and voices and laughter echo from the village square. Igor suggests introducing her to the other gnomes, and they head towards the lively gathering. Twinkle Star meets numerous gnomes, each donning a floppy hat, brightly colored shirts, and cheerful smiles. An hour of laughter and merriment ensues.

As the afternoon progresses, Twinkle Star realizes it’s time to return home. Promising to visit again soon, she crosses the Dragon Bridge and reflects on the happiness of meeting the gnomes and exploring their unique way of life. ❖