Andy the Gnome

In the happy gnome village, each gnome has a special job. But what about poor Andy?

Once upon a time, in a fantastical fairy-tale world, there was a peaceful forest town full of little gnomes. Every gnome there was joyful and cheery because each gnome had a very Special Job that they loved to do, and were very good at. There was Fisher Gnome, and Painter Gnome, and Teacher Gnome, and Plumber Gnome, and a thousand other gnomes besides that. Each one loved his Special Job, and happiness abounded.

            Traditionally, every young gnome would declare their Special Job on the full moon of August after their tenth birthday. This particular year, however, there was one gnome who was very nervous. His name was Andy.

            A few days ago, in preparation for declaring his Special Job, Andy’s parents had asked him what he liked to do.

            “Well, nothing, really,” Andy answered them.

            His entire family gasped! There had never been a gnome before who didn’t know what to do with his life! They offered him suggestions, but Andy refused every one. He simply didn’t know what his Special Job should be.

            On the night of the ceremony, Andy stood in line, waiting to proclaim his Special Job to the crowd of gnomes before him. The line slowly progressed, and Andy heard his friends call out all sorts of Special Jobs. One was an Architect Gnome and another was a Jazz Musician Gnome, his friend Shelly wanted to be a Biologist Gnome, and his buddy Mack chose the role of Factory Worker Gnome. When the gnome in front of him left and descended into the crowd of applauding family members, Andy stood alone, frightened and unsure.

            He didn’t know what to say. The crowd was watching him with slowly faltering smiles. Maybe this was his chance. Maybe he could change their ways. He gathered his courage and began to speak.

            And all of a sudden there was a fiery explosion from offstage! Andy and several others were flung into the crowd, engulfed in flames, as immense monsters stormed the peaceful gnome village, fire bellowing from their mouths. Alarm horns blared and the gnomes rushed for cover, terrified and screaming.

            After the flaming demons finished incinerating the forest and left, the surviving gnomes emerged from the ruins looked around at the ashes of their former home, many in tears. The Gnome King climbed onto the remains of the stage to address his subjects in their time of despair.

            “My people,” he began. “These monsters have destroyed our livelihood, slaughtered our friends and family, and brought destruction to what was our kind, peaceful existence. Yet I remind you that there still is hope.”

            “Hey,” one of the gnomes called out, “did Andy survive?”

            “Yeah, what happened to Andy?” another chimed in. “I thought he was the main character.”

            The crowd of gnomes walked around the burnt stage, until one of them waved his hands and called out. They gathered around the small pile of Andy’s charred remains a few meters from the dais.

             “Well, thank God,” the Gnome King said. “This was looking like some ham-fisted commentary on college life and society. And with gnomes, no less. It looks like we’ve been saved from such a pathetic, stupid plotline!”

            The gnomes cheered Andy’s death, and paraded scraps of his gnome hat around town all night as they partied. Every year afterwards, they burnt his effigy on the night of the August moon, to remember how close they had come to disaster.

Reviews

[Adele]

very interesting story and nice twist towards the end.
well written1