The gnome walks among us

Once upon a time, there was a magical gnome named Anders. He traveled to America from the Scandinavian woodlands in search of a better life.

You see, digging is not always the most profitable profession. Anders had spent most of his gnome life digging up the earth's treasures-- gems, rubies, including precious jewels the human eye has never seen. He found a home with a young lady named Elena, who upon receiving Anders as a Christmas gift, loved him with a love she has never known.

She decided to find him a place, a pedastal, in her bedroom so he could protect her. For you see, Anders is the perfect gnome for her, because she has such vivid nightmares-- his presence creates a calming atmosphere. Elena decided to find him a home outside in the yard, because she felt he would feel more comfortable out there and also would serve his purpose in protection, keeping critters from coming inside and/or ruining the garden. She placed him by the bird feeder and thought he looked quite content with his new accomodations.

One day, Elena looked out the kitchen window upon the yard to see how Anders was liking his new home. Holy chocolate starfish, the little gnome had moved to the hollow of a tree stump!

Now, she KNEW he had magial abilities! It seemed to Elena that he wanted to be close to wood, to remind him of his Scandinavian homeland. A couple days later, Elena went out to check on him, only to discover this note:

It appears that in the wee hours of the night, the hours no one dares to step outside, Anders had relocated again. She searched frantically for him, scanning the yard for his little red pointy hat and friendly blue eyes. Alas, the search was complete when she found him here, seeing that he had moved about 10 feet from the hollow:

Of course, he would choose the vantage point at the wood pile to better disguise himself as he scopes the yard in search of potential predators. Elena was just happy to find her gnome safe again! Oh, sweet happy reunion!