Dream time

Sometimes tired children need a bit of help to fall asleep. Riding in on his ebony night mare, The Sandman arrives with his bag of magic grit.  Dusting sleepy eyes with this fine powder, the small ones quickly visit the land of nod. "Close your little eyes and dream."  he softly whispers.

Among the cattails

Poised silently among the cattails is Reed.  The guardian of ponds and marshes, he oversees the ducks, geese and red-winged blackbirds. As  dragonflies flit about teasing the frogs, he stands sentry over the young life in the pond. When the eggs hatch, Reed keeps a watchful eye.  "Shhh,"  he whispers, "the ducklings are sleeping."

Patience

Lovely, warm quilts not only bring beauty to a room, they make cold winter nights bearable.  To wrap up in one with a hot cup of cocoa is quite comforting.  Quilts are made by steadfastly sewing bits of fabric together and Quiltcene is an artist in this craft.  He is a quiet elf who teaches patience. Stitch by stitch each piece is carefully sewn creating intricate designs until it finally becomes a blanket. Quilts can be charming hanging on a wall or covering a bed.

 

Mischief

When shoelaces get knotted up, and toothpaste is squished all over the bathroom sink, blame a mischievous elf named Prank. If the homework paper that has so diligently been done is missing, he probably hid it. Behind many small annoyances, (dripping faucets, misplaced glasses, spilled milk) giggling in the shadows, is Prank.  He isn't being naughty or mean, he's just fond of causing playful trouble. 

 

Artist's note:  I apologize for the bad resolution on this page.  It will be fixed soon.

Cord of wood

Oakly lives near the wood pile.  When firewood is stacked, it should be loose enough for a mouse to enter but too tight for a cat to follow. Oakly's back pack is empty. What do you suppose he carries in it? Perhaps he collects seeds and nuts to feed the mouse who lives in there. They are probably friends.  He looks kind.

Out for lunch

Even chickens have to fly the coop sometime.  Mom and dad birds must search for food or perhaps they are just out having fun. Parents need a break too. When they leave their eggs alone in the nest, a little lady elf, named Nanny, comes to take care of them. She makes sure the babies are protected. She sits so calmly in the nest knitting and warming the eggs.  Perhaps she's humming a pretty tune. The flowers embrace her.

New growth

It is interesting to wonder how all the new little plants in a forest start to grow.  Seedlings take root beneath looming trees, mushrooms sprout on fallen logs, ferns unfurl their curly little heads.  Well, slogging through the dense undergrowth is Mushinka.  As he moves among the bushes, seeds and spores fall into his pocket and the wind blows pollen onto the rim of his hat.  He distributes these seeds along his path.  Add a bit of sunshine as well as some water and as if by magic, new growth begins.