Lil'Owl's Boubliwae Adventures

Chapter 2

Early Morning

 

Up among the uppermost branches of the giant red cedars a bluejay, with a feather coat as blue as the clear morning sky, called out, 'jay-jay, jay-jay!' His call announced to Lil'Owl that it was safe to venture out of his snug home. Jay, the bluejay, watches Lil'Owl as he wanders down to the stream.

 

Lil'Owl was dressed in a warm wool coat, pants and cap. On his feet he wore large hand-stitched boots lined with wool. Wool is a natural fiber that is readily available to gnomes. Wool is collected in the spring when mountain sheep shed their winter coats. Lil'Owl's young daughter Sarah learned the skill of weaving wool into fine fabric. Eric, another gnome who lives in the same forest, collects the wool and brings it to Sarah. It is possible that they will wed someday; at least Eric hopes so!

 

Sarah washes the wool and spins it on her spinning wheel into skeins. She sometimes dyes it with natural dyes made from plants and then weaves the wool into beautiful lengths of fabric on her loom. Sarah is well known around Boubliwae Falls as a master weaver. She often creates wonderful woven wall hangings that incorporate other treasures from the forest. Forest animals and birds provide her with beautiful feathers and various furs that she works into her masterpieces. Gnomes are hairy little folk; their hairy bodies are well suited for wearing clothing made from wool. Their feet are also very hairy, Their soles are like soft leather because during warm weather they often go bare footed.

 

Now, I must tell you that forest animals do not talk to gnomes in human language. They have one of their own, which the gnomes understand. In storytelling, it is easier to convey what is happening, by writing in a language that you will understand.

 

As Lil'Owl moved about, Jay flipped down, to rest upon one of the gnarled protruding cedar roots. He chatted non-stop about his relatives, and the weather, while cracking pine nuts. Soon Jay's wife could be heard calling and Jay flew away up and over the Boubliwae Falls.

 

Lil'Owl sat down on the sandy shore, already warmed by the rays of the sun, to contemplate his plans for the day. His round face was the color of a ripened rose hip and marked with many creases. His beard was white as snow and hung down to his protruding middle. In his rather large hands, he held a small knife that he had hammered out of an old piece of iron, which he had discovered in the stream on one of his many journeys. After sitting awhile, he turned to the door and said, 'Come on sleepy-head, it's a lovely fall day, the sun is warm, wake-up, come out and enjoy it!'

Here is a picture of Sarah in her cozy room.

If you were a gnome what treasures would you have in your room?

Why not do a sketch of what your gnome room would look like and then submit it to QueenGnome@foundus.com for possible publication.