Once upon a time, a gnome was digging in a cavern and he happened upon a wee child with golden hair. She was fast asleep and would not wake. Realizing that she was dead, tears filled his eyes for the gnome was a gentle and kind sort. He carefully scooped her into his arms and climbed out of the cavern into the bright light of day.
In front of him was a tall, beautiful pine tree. He laid the golden child beneath it and pulled out a box filled with many different flowers from the area that grew in abundance, placing it next to the body. The blonde child was wearing a long, white blouse with a silver star upon it’s breast. The gnome smiled and then reached into his work bag and pulled out a wet stone and a long, sharp knife. He promptly cut off her head and along with the flowers he picked for seasoning, he placed it gently in his trusty cooking pot, stoking the fire.
Soon the golden stew was ready. He ladled some out into his old, wooden bowl. As he started to eat, the moon set and all was dark in the forest. The gnome continued to eat for the soup was warm and nourishing. And then he heard a peal of laughter. He turned and the pine tree started to glow many colours from a source that he could not imagine.
And then the most beautiful voice he had ever heard asked him, “Dearest gnome, does my broth soothe you?”
The gnome looked around but could see no one. The voice asked again, “Would you like dessert? I know after a lovely meal there is nothing better than a most welcome treat.”
Turning around before him stood the blonde girl smiling with her head back on her shoulders. Now she wore a long, white robe and the silver star that had been on her blouse was in the young girl’s hand glowing ever so bright. The gnome nodded humbly and said, “If you wish, misses I would gladly accept your dessert.”
The blonde child’s face lit up and she handed the gnome the silver star which she broke in half keeping one for herself. They sat before the tree and ate the silver star and then the gnome fell fast asleep.
When he awoke the wee girl was gone. He yawned and stretched and grabbing the cooking pot, he looked into the liquid and saw the reflection. He was no longer a gnome but was in fact the blonde child. He found himself ever so hungry. So the blonde little girl that used to be a gnome ate the cooking pot and then the pine tree and then the forest and then she ate herself and had the most beautiful dream you could ever dream long, long ago. In a land full of boulders.
Poster art by Whale Song Partridge
Tale by The Partridge in the Pear Tree
A Walt Disney Production from Albuquerque
