Daniel and the Woodland Gnomes: A Free Children's Short Story

 Here's a story that I wrote several years ago. Although it's classified as a children's story, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. I believe it is available for purchase on a few retailing sites across the web, but you can read the entire story right here for free. Enjoy.

A cool breeze whisked across Daniel Martin’s freckled brow as he stood alongside his favorite fishing stream. With a smooth underhand flip, his cork bobber went sailing, and when it hit the water, it made a subtle splash. The 12-year-old boy then sat against a shady oak tree and stretched his spindly legs.

“Okay, fish,” he grumbled. “Come and get it.”

It was a hot day, which made Daniel more irritable than he already was. The fight he’d had earlier with his younger brother, Alex, was fresh on his mind, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Daniel grumbled again, “Why is he always such a little pest? I told him we both could go fishing tomorrow.” His voice grew louder as he continued. “Sometimes I wish he were never born. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about him annoying me all the time.”

Daniel had never spoken of his little brother in such a way. Dropping his head in shame, his face reddened and guilt struck him. He sighed and picked aimlessly at the grass on which he sat. His biggest regret had been shoving Alex to the ground. He could still see the image of his brother crying and running home with his fishing pole. Daniel’s eyes moistened with tears.

Though it wasn’t long after, he felt a nibble, and his thinking skipped back to the present. Excited, Daniel stood up and waited.

He could see the trout’s brilliant rainbow colors through the rippling of the clear water. The fish toyed with the big, red worm, playfully bumping it with its mouth. When the fish finally gulped the bait, Daniel jerked his fishing pole. The trout tugged and zigzagged left to right, jumping and splashing. Wide-eyed with excitement, he held the pole with all his strength as the battle continued. Finally, after the fish grew tired and gave-in, Daniel reeled the trout to the stream’s bank. He was happy once again.

“Take it easy, you silly fish,” he said, grinning. The trout pitched and flopped.

Once he carefully removed the hook, Daniel walked over to deposit the trout into the fish basket, which he’d set in the shallow part of the stream. Upon lifting the lid, he discovered the two fish that he’d caught earlier had mysteriously disappeared.

“Huh, what happened to my fish?” With a quick scan of the basket, he discovered a small hole on the side. “How did that get there? Oh well, you won’t get away,” he said, looking to the trout in his left hand.

He pulled an old handkerchief from the back pocket of his shorts, wadded it, and stuffed it tightly into the hole. He then dropped the slimy trout into the basket and shut the lid securely.

“There, that ought to hold you,” he said as he placed the basket back into the stream. After a quick re-bait of his hook and another cast, Daniel sat once again under the shady oak tree.

He could think of no other place he’d rather be. He sat looking out to the rolling hills, the luring forestry, and the trickling stream. This was where he always chose to spend his summer days. As Daniel captured Mother Nature’s glory, he began to feel guilty once again. He knew Alex also enjoyed all these wonderful outdoor experiences.

He watched his cork bobber with hopes that it would spring to life. However, it floated undisturbed as it had for the last hour, which only added to his feeling of sadness. Also, the longer he sat, the more tired he became. The lids of his eyes grew increasingly heavy and he bobbed his head twice. Not long after, Daniel was snoozing and he began to dream.

He dreamed of the day he, his father, and Alex had gone on a weekend camping and fishing adventure. They had caught many trout that first evening and explored many trails. Daniel’s father had shown him and his brother the differences in the trees, wild nuts and berries, and introduced them to the collective value that Mother Nature possessed. It was an exciting time for Daniel and his little brother.

While he dreamed, a crash echoed across the sky and Daniel sprang excitedly from his slumber. A roaring thunderstorm had circulated into the valley and heavy rain poured down. Scrambling to gather his pole and fishing basket, he noticed his handkerchief lying on the ground. When he picked up the basket and looked inside, the fish was gone.

“Not again,” he said.

Nevertheless, Daniel quickly gathered his things and zipped into the forest to seek shelter. Through the whipping wind and rain, he squinted and spied a strange looking tree off to his left; one that he’d never seen before. The tree was enormous, with branches that stretched high into the sky. Also, around its base, were large, twisting roots that weaved in and out of the ground. Daniel wondered how this tree had never snared his attention before.

Looking on, he noticed a small, hollow opening on the trunk. He desperately needed somewhere he could retreat from the rain and thought this would be the perfect place. So, with fishing pole and basket in tow, he darted in the direction of the strange looking tree. When he got there, Daniel laid his fishing gear on the ground by the tree’s base. Turning his shoulders sideways, he shimmied and wiggled through the small, narrow hole, and quickly fumbled his flashlight from his front pocket.

Shinning the light to his left, he noticed piles of walnuts, acorns, and chestnuts, all organized neatly. It seemed odd for squirrels, he thought, to be so orderly. Nevertheless, he continued to investigate. He swung his flashlight to his right where he discovered, of all things, three tiny rocking chairs, each no bigger than a bicycle wheel. Each one had been whittled carefully from soft pinewood, and the seats had been woven from the bark of a hickory tree.

While shining his light toward the back, he also noticed a fireplace. It was an unusual fireplace because it too was much smaller. Cautiously, he aimed the flashlight and stepped closer. He bent down, put a hand in, and hovered over the warm, simmering coals.

“No way,” he mumbled softly to himself. “Squirrels can’t build fires, can they?”

Daniel thought about it for a moment and then turned to stand when a wallop came from his backside. He tumbled helplessly to the floor, flashlight slipping from his hand and going out.

“Hey, what’s the big idea? Get off me!” he yelled. He heard pitter-pattering footsteps zipping by his head.

“Get him, Brother Lance!” A voice shouted.

“I am surely trying, Brother Finn,” yelled another. “I surely am!”

When a light filled the inside of the hollow tree, Daniel found himself with hands and feet tied.

A voice spoke, “Oh, Brother Finn, he is not the troll. It is only the boy who fishes by the stream.”

“So it is, Brother Lance,” he answered. “Untie him. He is most certainly harmless.”

Walking in Daniel’s direction was a very little man. He had a long, greying beard and wore a red peaked hat. With a tiny knife chiseled from flint stone, the little man reached to Daniel’s feet and carefully cut his bindings.

“Don’t be frightened. We mean you no harm,” said the little bearded man. He then cut the bindings at Daniel’s hands and then placed the tiny knife back into a felt sheath, which hung on his side. “I am Lance and this is Brother Finn.”

Daniel’s eyes blinked swiftly and shifted to his left where he discovered another little man holding a glowing oil lamp, but of course, it too was miniature in size. Unlike the other, this little man’s beard was completely snow white, and his eyebrows were thick and bristly.

“How do you do?” said the other little man. “It is true, just as Brother Lance has stated. We mean you no harm.”

“My name’s Daniel.” He hesitated, then asked, “Who – who are you?”

“Why, I just told you. I am Lance and this–”

“No, I mean what are you?” Daniel rose to his feet and dusted himself off.

The one called Finn walked over, placed the miniature oil lamp on the mantle of the fireplace, and turned to Daniel.

“Why, we are woodland gnomes – guardians of animal kind. Just who do you think it was that released those helpless fish back into the stream?”

“That was you?” asked Daniel, surprised.

“Indeed it was.”

Daniel glanced at the tiny rocking chairs. Again, he counted three. “Is there another woodland gnome?”

“There is,” answered Finn. “But on this dreary day we are without our loyal and honorable brother, for he has been abducted by the wicked troll, Odium.”

“Please, Brother Finn,” spoke Lance. “Do not speak that despicable name in my presence. I beg of you!” He walked away, buried his little bearded face into in his small hands and sobbed quietly.

“There, there,” said Finn, patting his brother on the back. “But I speak only the truth.”

“Yes, but it saddens me to think that we may never see dear Brother Max again.”

“I don’t understand,” said Daniel. Why did the troll take your brother?”

“Because he is the most vicious and heinous of creatures that has ever roamed the woodlands,” answered Lance, sniffling.

While listening to the gnomes, Daniel developed his own feeling of despair. He thought of his little brother and began to miss him deeply. He too almost began sobbing, but somehow refrained.

“What is the matter, Daniel?” asked Finn, noticing Daniel’s sorrow.

“Well, I’ve done a terrible thing,” answered Daniel, staring blankly at the ground.

“Come now,” said Lance. “Whatever it is cannot be as terrible as what that despicable Odium has done.”

Daniel hung his head. “Maybe not, but I’m still ashamed.” Shaking the terrible thought and changing the subject, Daniel asked the gnomes, “So why don’t you go get your brother back?”

Lance turned again, sinking his face into his tiny hands and sulked.

“Why is he crying? What did I say?” asked Daniel.

“He weeps, Daniel, because we do not have the capabilities to rescue our brother from the troll’s unruly clutches. The ornery troll is much stronger than any gnome, and he will carry out any vile plan to keep us at bay so he can enslave and, quite possibly, torture our brother Max – forever.” As Finn went on, Lance wept louder.

After listening to the gnomes speak, Daniel thought for a moment, and then said, “Finn, I will help you and Lance rescue your brother.”

Lance stopped crying. Turning to Daniel, he wiped his face on his shirtsleeve and formed a gracious smile. “Oh but, Daniel, are you sure you want to undergo such a dangerous task?”

Daniel again thought. If he couldn’t fix the horrible dilemma that he’d created with his own brother, maybe he could help fix the problem that the gnomes were having with their brother.

“Yes. I’m sure,” answered Daniel.

“Oh, happy days!” said Lance.

Once the rain stopped, Daniel and the two woodland gnomes began their journey. The gnomes hoped to restore their happiness by reclaiming their brother, Max. Daniel followed the little men as they climbed and leaped fallen trees, toadstools, and other obstacles. He was amazed with their agility and acrobatic movements as they moved through the forest.

“Not much farther, Daniel,” whispered Finn, as he leaped a giant toadstool. He then slowed his pace as they came to the bottom of a hill.

“Up there is where our despicable nemesis lives,” said Finn, pointing to the top of the hill.

With Daniel leading the way, they climbed the hill, staying in a single row. Finn and Lance weaved in and out of the tall grass and skipped over large boulders with ease.

“We must keep our guard up at all times, for Odium is a sneaky, villainous creature,” said Lance.

As they neared the hill’s crest, they came upon an old, dilapidated shack, which the troll had made from rusty scrap metal and dead driftwood. A shutter on the front window creaked noisily as a breeze blew it back and forth. Trash littered the hillside and the smell of rotting fish wafted through the air. They walked up to the front door and each put their ear to the outside and listened.

“I do not hear the slightest noise,” said Finn.

Daniel sighed deeply. “I’ll go in first.”

“Our friend Daniel is very brave, Brother Finn,” whispered Lance.

“Indeed he is, brother. Indeed he is.”

Nudging it with his foot, Daniel pushed the door open, spied into the shack cautiously, and entered. To the right, perched on a sconce in the farthest corner, a candle burned with a low, dull flame. A raw, half-eaten salmon sat on a small wooden table, and old fish bones and other garbage littered the room.

“Quite a messy old rogue,” said Lance, stepping through the door.

“Yes indeed,” said Finn.

“We have to hurry,” said Daniel. “We don’t know when he’ll return.”

With little time to spare, all three spread out and searched. The brothers sifted through garbage, looking for clues or possibly even a trap door of some kind. Down a corridor, Daniel spied a small hat, which looked much like the ones Lance and Finn wore.

“Over here, guys,” said Daniel. “I think I found something.”

The brothers ran quickly down the corridor, shoving garbage and other filth from their path.

“That is Brother Max’s hat,” said Finn.

“Yes. It surely is!” agreed Lance.

“Maybe he’s in this room,” said Daniel, walking over to a door.

“Brother Max, are you in there?” asked Finn, shouting through the door. “It is your brothers. We’ve come to save you.”

With their ears to the door, all three listened. It was then a low, muffled voice spoke back.

“Max!” Lance cheered aloud. “We are coming, Brother Max!”

Daniel checked the doorknob, but the crafty troll had locked it tightly. “Stand back,” he said.

Taking a few steps back, Daniel lowered his shoulder and then took off. With a powerful bash, the door jarred open slightly allowing the gnomes to have a peek inside the room.

“I can see Brother Max!” said Lance, almost bursting with tears. “We must hurry!”

With another powerful ram, Daniel drove the door open. The gnomes ran to their brother’s side and quickly removed the bindings from his mouth, wrists, and ankles.

“Oh, I cannot express how happy I am to see you Brother Finn and Brother Lance,” said Max. “And look, it is the boy who fishes by the stream,” he said, looking at Daniel.

“It’s nice to meet you, but we really need to get out of here,” Daniel said nervously.

“Indeed we must,” said Max.

The brothers helped Max off the floor and they all hurried down the corridor. However, when they reached the front door, it flung open abruptly. Standing in the doorway was the most vile and despicable sight any of them had ever seen.

“Now where is it you think you’re going?” asked the troll Odium. He stood holding a rusty pitchfork on which three impaled salmon hung. His clothes were tattered and smudged with filth and muck. His orange, frizzled hair stood in many directions. He stood a foot taller than the gnomes but was much shorter than Daniel.

Odium glared at the four intruders, smiled, and displayed his sharp, pointed teeth, which had chunks of rotting fish wedged in between each one.

“We have come for our brother, and we are leaving with him, you filthy troll,” said Finn. “Step aside!”

Odium stood calmly, looking at his unexpected houseguests. He yanked a dead salmon from one of the rusty prongs of his pitchfork, took a large bite, and paused in thought.

“Is that so?” he said. He chewed and garbled his words through a mouth full of fish. Small pieces of meat escaped and dropped to the floor while slimy strands hung from his black, parched lips.

“Yes, that’s right!” Daniel stated sharply. “He is their brother and he is leaving with them – right now!”

“Oh look who it is – the boy who fishes by the stream,” said Odium. “It is a shame you go to great lengths to save someone else’s brother when you treat your own so poorly.”

A look of surprise appeared on Daniel’s face. He wondered how the troll knew about him and his little brother’s argument.

The troll took another bite. “It is a shame you sent him away, crying. I am sure I could treat him much better than you could. It would not surprise me if he did not want to speak to you ever again.”

The troll continued to speak cruelly while anger simmered and boiled within Daniel. He had heard enough of the troll’s insults, and the time had come for him and the gnomes to make their move.

“You filthy, dirty troll!” yelled Daniel. Just as he battered the door moments before, he leaped toward Odium with the same intention. Daniel clipped the troll, spinning and knocking him away from the front door. The rusty pitchfork impaled with salmon went scooting across the floor and the gnomes rushed by, exiting to their freedom.

To Daniel’s surprise, the troll quickly regained his footing and counter attacked with a wallop of his own. The troll struck solidly, knocking Daniel against the door, shutting the two inside.

“Oh my!” said Max. “We must go back inside so we can help young Daniel!”

“Yes, we must,” said Lance.

Upon trying to re-enter, the brothers discovered the door had been barred shut; the evil troll had immediately locked it tightly.

“Now, boy, it is just you and I,” said Odium, turning to Daniel. “You should learn to mind your own business instead of interfering in mine. This did not concern you.”

“Maybe not,” Daniel began, “but can’t you see they love their brother deeply, just as I love my brother. Why would you try to hurt someone by taking away the people they love?”

“I do not care about love or hurting others,” he said. “Others are always treating me mean and cruelly. Always calling me names. Why should I care about anyone? No one cares about me.”

It was then Daniel thought he saw a glint of sorrow in the eyes of the troll.

“But to love, or to be loved, is the greatest treasure of all,” exclaimed Daniel.

It was as Daniel suspected. The troll dropped his head and began to weep.

“But I have no family to love, or to love me in return,” he said, sniffling. “Everyone in the forest shuns me because I look different. I was not going to hurt Max. I took him only because I was lonely and have no friends.”

“Maybe if you started treating everyone with kindness, they would respect you and care for you as well. I’m certain the little woodland gnomes would like you too.”

“You really think so?” asked Odium.

“I really do,” exclaimed Daniel.

The troll perked up, wiped his sobbing face, and said, “Okay, from now on I will be much nicer and treat others with respect and kindness.”

As the gnomes waited anxiously outside, the door to the old shack swung open. Each brother stood ready, preparing himself for battle. To their surprise, Daniel walked out smiling and unscathed, and the troll soon followed.

After explaining what had happened, and revealing Odium’s new outlook on life, Daniel and the three gnomes marched back down the hill, waving good-bye to their newfound friend.

“It just goes to show,” Finn began, “that everyone has some good in them. They just have to find it.”

“There could not be a truer statement, Brother Finn,” said Max. “If it was not for our dear friend, Daniel, this day would not be so glorious.”

But for Daniel, it wasn’t so glorious because he still felt regret and shame. He only hoped Alex would forgive him.

As the group came upon the gnome’s tree house, Daniel thought he heard a voice yelling. It was a familiar voice. It was Alex!

“I have to go, guys!” said Daniel. He grabbed his fishing gear and bolted toward the stream.

“Yes, of course, Daniel.” said Finn. “Go to your little brother and find your happiness once again!”

“I’m gonna try,” he said, turning back.

Daniel ran and ran. Although he heard his little brother calling, he could not find him.

“I’m coming, Alex!”

After running for some time, Daniel finally stopped, looked around, and gave up. He sat down next to a tree and wept uncontrollably. He thought he would never see his little brother again and get his chance to apologize. He would be heartbroken forever. Daniel cried and cried, until he couldn’t cry anymore.

*

“Daniel … Hey, Daniel,” he heard his brother’s voice again. “Wake up. Wake up. You’re getting a bite!”

Daniel felt a hand on his shoulder and a shake soon followed.

“Who … what,” he mumbled and rose quickly.

“You’ve fallen asleep and your pole is about to go plunging into the stream!” Alex wailed.

A surprised but elated look emerged upon Daniel’s face. He looked around and discovered that he was back underneath the shady oak tree. He had fallen asleep. He shook the sleep from his head, fumbled to grab the pole, and stood up.

As he fought the trout, Daniel glanced down to his little brother, who had a look of jubilation.

“Here take it,” he said, handing the pole to Alex.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, hurry. Take it,” Daniel insisted again.

Alex grabbed the pole and stood by his big brother. The mammoth trout splashed and flailed. Reeling fiercely, Alex held on tightly as the tip of the fishing pole bent and flexed. Daniel looked on proudly while his little brother finally landed the shiny rainbow trout.

“Nice going, Alex. That one’s bigger than the one I have over here in the basket.” He bent down to the basket and, upon opening it, discovered his fish was gone.

“Where’s your fish?” asked Alex.

Daniel turned to scan the forest behind him. He gazed slowly across the greenery and stopped when he saw the rustling of a bush nearby. Out from it poked three tiny hands, which produced snappy little waves and then quickly disappeared back into the bush.

“I guess he got away, buddy,” he said, smiling. “I guess he got away.”

Daniel and Alex spent the rest of the evening fishing, laughing, and enjoying their wonderful outdoor experience. Daniel did apologize, and Alex forgave him. Furthermore, as he had promised, Daniel brought his little brother back the next morning for another wonderful day of fishing, exploring, and once again, basking in Mother Nature’s glory.