Chapters 8 and 9.

8. The Gnomes’ Oak Grove.

I advanced a few more meters and the spring disappeared among the roots of a huge oak tree.

«Where has the spring gone?» I asked Hope.

«Don’t worry about it; the muses make it appear and disappear at will. If you don’t see it anymore, they think you’ve spent enough time with them for this day. Terpsichore will make it appear in your path when she deems it appropriate,» she explained.

Destrouch, tired of hovering, sat on my left shoulder and pointing to the giant oak tree, he told me:

«Now it’s time for you to meet our dear cousins, the gnomes.»

We had arrived at an extensive oak forest in the evening twilight, and suddenly attracted by little lights that appeared to be fireflies, I looked at the ground. But focusing my sight better, I

discovered with astonishment that tiny little men came and went among the prominent roots of those trees, busy with various jobs! 

Seeing me come, one of them welcomed me, beckoning me with both hands to get closer.

Once at his side, I lay down, my belly on the ground below, to be more on par with my small hosts, and to get some rest. My feet were already hurting from walking so much!

«You look tired,» said the gnome who had made signs, now standing before my nose.

«Yes, I’ve been exploring the forest for hours, and I’m starting to feel tired, even though I have seen incredible things!» I replied lazily.

«Well, then we won’t keep you here long, just enough for you to know us and be able to come back with more time another day,» murmured the little man. He then introduced himself:

«I am the chief of the carpenter gnomes. Our job is to help the bugs that enjoy working the

wood, to get woodpecker wings. In that oak live the potter gnomes, who help find baker bird’s feathers. In the oak tree beyond that one, live the goldsmith gnomes.

As you can see, in this part of the forest, there are more oaks and many gnome families; such as the blacksmiths, mechanics, and inventors. We all work and live in this old oak grove, and help creative and hardworking bugs learn the arts and crafts that will allow them to earn strong and resistant feathers. With them, the forest spirit will grant them flexible and aerodynamic wings to fly wherever they want,» explained the carpenter gnome.

I was so absorbed in his explanations that I didn’t notice the presence of a funny lady gnome who had sat down a few centimeters from my elbow.

«But that’s not the only thing we do for them!» intervened the damsel. «We also teach them to

understand the advantages of a simple and happy life and not to take things too seriously. You must learn to free yourself from the worries that do nothing but hinder and shorten your life,» she said, shaking her head as if she couldn’t understand the bad habit of obsessing and making life bitter, so common among the bugs of my species.

And as if she had read my thoughts, she added:

«It’s true, I can’t understand it! No matter how hard I try, I don’t understand why people fuss over unimportant things!”

I smiled and told her that bugs of my species, despite having wings and being able to perform a thousand prodigies, perhaps were not as wise as the inhabitants of that forest.

Both gnomes laughed as they nodded, and, without false modesty, she said:

«Yes, it is very likely. That is why we are here: to help you understand that, no matter what happens, life in this world is a wonderful celebration to which we all have been invited so we can enjoy it!»

«But it’s not always a fun party. Sometimes, it gets ugly, and we suffer a lot!» I complained.

«True. But sadness and pain always fade away over time. And the party continues giving us new joys and surprises!» she refuted me with genuine joy.

«Yeah, maybe…» I shrugged without intending to enter into philosophical discussions.

9. The magic chest.

The carpenter gnome noticed that I was beginning to feel restless and depressed, so he advised me to get on my way and try to leave the forest before it got dark.

But before saying goodbye, he told me they had a gift to give me as a souvenir of my first visit to their oak grove:

«Close your eyes tightly and imagine a small chest.» he urged.

I obeyed and soon saw a beautiful chest with golden locks and precious stone inlays.

«Very good!»  he exclaimed as if he too could witness it. 

And then he gave me the following instructions:

«When you have a problem you don’t know how to face or cannot solve, put it mentally inside your magic chest before going to sleep at night. Once you have put it away, call us with a strong thought, and don’t think about it anymore. Fill your mind with happy thoughts that have nothing to do with what you kept in the chest.

While you sleep, one of us will bring your chest to the oak grove, and we will see if we can help you solve the challenge you sent us. It may take us a few hours or several months. But it is almost certain that we will be able to find a solution.

However, remember that we are always busy, so you should only seek our help once you have done everything possible to solve your problems yourself. Those who call us for nonsense, we end up ignoring them, and we may ignore their calls when they really need us!» he warned me.

I stood up, thanked them for the gift and the excellent advice, and said goodbye.

It was getting dark, and as I walked away, taciturn among the immense oaks, I felt a cold wind freezing my hands, and I wanted to be back in the nest.

Soon, the oak grove became another memory, and I had to go through the bushes again. The fatigue and the difficulty of walking in the dark made me lose sight of Hope and Destrouch; and although I thought about calling them, I was in a bad mood and preferred to be alone.

I stumbled or fell at every step as the darkness and exhaustion increased. My lousy mood turned first into a rage and then into despair. I couldn’t see a way out of the woods, and for a moment, I thought I would never find it. I was lost, afraid, and cold, and a great anguish invaded me. Yet, feeling too embarrassed to call my friends for help, I was about to cry despite all their advice.

Prey to anger and frustration, I began to hit the plants that were in my way as if wanting to get even with them for keeping me prisoner in that damned forest. 

Then, from the top of a pine tree, a little woman, more attractive than any other I had seen in the forest, called me with a whistle:

«It’s no use taking it out on the poor plants! They are being quite patient with you. But

If they get angry because of the unnecessary harm you are causing them, you will be hopelessly lost!» she scolded me.

«Who are you? Please help me get out of this place! I want to go home now.» I begged her.

She, who had no wings, descended the branches with a monkey’s agility and speed; within seconds, she was standing on a pinecone in front of my face.

«I am a dryad, a forest nymph. This forest is full of nymphs, but we usually stay out of sight.»

Although I was curious about this new creature of the forest, I wanted most at that moment to get out of there as soon as possible, return to the nest, and be with my family. So I just asked her the way back to the prairie.

«Well, I don’t know! That depends on what you have managed to find in the forest…» she said, somewhat confused.

«But I haven’t found anything!» I complained, on the verge of crying.

«Don’t worry, don’t despair, because then you won’t be able to think clearly!» she said, wanting to prevent me from panicking.

I knew she was right, so I sat on the ground and, resting my back on the thick trunk of the pine, I tried to calm down.

She came to pose on one of my knees, and with maternal patience, she told me:

«Very well, now calmly try to remember. No one spends a day in the forest of adolescence without taking any gifts! The spirit of this place wouldn’t allow it.» she assured me.

It was already night, and I was exhausted and scared. But the dryad’s sweet voice helped me calm down and think more clearly. I mentally reviewed the entire route since my friend and I had entered the forest, and I finally found out what the beautiful nymph was referring to:

«I remember!» I said triumphantly. «The gnomes gave me an imaginary chest where I can put the problems I cannot solve without help.»

And in a mocking tone, she added:

«For example, how to get out of the forest and return to your home!»

«Exactly! All I have to do is put it there, call them with my thoughts, and let them solve it while I fall asleep thinking about happy things.» I explained.

«And what are you waiting for? Do it, and then I’ll sing a song to make you fall asleep!» she said enthusiastically.

«But if I fall asleep here, my parents will worry!» I said, distressed.

And she, with a frown, asked me:

«Haven’t the gnomes told you not to take things so hard, not to worry so much? Trust them! They are wise, and will help you get out of here on time.»

«Okay, you’re right. Besides, I don’t know what else I can do. I will never find my way out in this darkness!» I admitted.

Without saying more, I closed my eyes, mentally put my problem inside the magic chest, locked it well, and called to the gnomes with all my might. Then I lay down on the pine-needle mattress, and the dryad sat on my chest and began to hum a song, in a language unknown to me. Her warm voice was very relaxing, and soon I fell asleep.