Just through the red door lies a mystical place where live the little known creatures, the ones the world looks upon as myth and legend.  In this realm, they live and breathe, just the same as you and I.  Journey with me through the red door, to the place of imagination and we will find a new dimension of reality.

The new day calls out with an invitation from those beyond the door.  It is they who wish to meet us and share their tales!

I hear Grandpa Ansel, a respected elder, calling now, his voice strong and commanding.

“Hark, noble ones of the realm!”

On this magnificent spring morning in Rehoboth I see Grandpa Ansel and Grandma Elena enjoying the warmth of the sun.  They are strolling together toward the fields, deep in conversation, quite oblivious to my approach.

Some distance away, I see young Oden gathering pinecones in a large basket.  Farther away still, I faintly hear singing from the gardens.  There, the work force of gnomes, young and older, tend the newly sprouted plants waving gently in their tidy rows.  The serenity of the place washes over as the harmony of Rehoboth draws me in, once again.

I hear Grandma Elena address Grandpa.  “How long will you keep Oden busy with these jobs?  It’s been many days now that Oden has been your shadow.”

“Oden is good company and an excellent help.  I see his anger and frustrations less now.  As for how long?  I guess I’ll keep Oden’s company until he doesn’t need my company anymore.  He’s a good lad who deals poorly with some hard thoughts, more often than not.  As we work together, he talks more now.  As he shares, he heals.  For now, I think Oden is benefitting from being companion to an old gnome.  He’s finding purpose in the work and peace in the company.”

“Am I to understand, then, that keeping Oden busy is not a punishment?”

“Not at all.  I think Oden needs to be understood more than he needs punishment.   Who better to take the time to understand him than a retired gnome with little to do?  Over time, he will learn of the consequences of his choices and how to make different choices in order to experience better outcomes.” Grandpa explained.

Beaming, Grandma Elena stroked Grandpa’s beard and said, “You’re a wise gnome, Ansel.

As they reached the garden gate their presence was noticed by the youngsters, who, dropped their tools and raced to greet the pair.  Happy for an excuse to stop weeding, since every gnome ever born has disliked the slow tedious work of weeding, they abandoned their rows.

Sitting upon his favorite fallen log, Grandpa Ansel patted the space next to him, inviting Grandma Elena to join him.  Smiling at his young audience he said, “Draw near dear ones.  Gather close and hear the wisdom of age for you are just beginning and have much to learn.”

Seeing Oden’s hesitancy at joining, Grandpa called out to him, including him in the gathering.   Approaching reluctantly, Oden looked to Grandma Elena who said, “Come sit beside me, Oden.  There’s room enough on our log.”

When the group grew quiet, Grandpa posed a question.  “Who among you has a friend?”  Every hand shot upward.  “I see.  Now, do you suppose an old gnome is capable of telling who is friends with whom?” he asked.

“I don’t see how you would know that,” answered Galen.

“Oh?  And why is that Master Galen?” Grandpa prodded.

“You aren’t around any of us very much.  We see you almost daily, but it’s only for a while.  There’s no way you could know who we spend time with, play with and call friends,” answered Galen.

“All true and yet, I know you and Galf are great friends!” Grandpa exclaimed.

Galf gasped and looked at Galen, asking, “How could he know that?”  Galen shrugged his shoulders, as stumped as Galf.

“I also think the two of you chum with Tobias, as well.  Am I correct in this?” Grandpa asked.

“Tobias answered, “Well, yes, but how did you know?”

Ignoring their questions, Grandpa continued.  Looking at Mathilda he asked, “Is Lisbet your dear friend?”

Mathilda just nodded and shared a baffled look with Lisbet.

“I also think you two older girls frequently include little Aved in your circle of friendship.  Is that right, Aved?”

Her face wreathed in a smile, Aved’s eyes lit up.  “Oh, Grandpa, you are so clever.  Somehow you seem to know everything.  You must tell us about this secret power of yours.”

“I don’t know if I am clever, Miss Aved, but thank you for the compliment.  My secret power, however, is observation.”

“What does observation mean?” Aved asked.

“I watch.  I notice and I think about what I see,” answered Grandpa.

“What do you see that leads you to know who our friends are?” asked Galf.

“When I look at you, Galen and Tobias I notice similarities in your characters, your mannerisms and even some of your speech patterns.  You three think and act as one.”

“How does that tell you we are friends, though?  I still don’t understand,” asked Tobias.

“We become like those we spend a lot of time with.  It is the nature of all of creation, but most noticeable in the humans and the gnomes, since we are quite like humans.  The closer our relationship with another, the more shared traits we’ll develop,” answered Grandpa.

“Is it the same for girls, Grandpa?” asked Mathilda.

“Yes.  You and Lisbet are very similar to each other.  I know you two have taken little Aved under your wing because she is becoming more and more like you two.”

“Is that why you and Grandma Elena are so alike?” asked Aved, “Because you spend so much time together?”

This made everyone laugh.  Grandma Elena answered Aved, “I suppose it is!”

Composing himself once more, Grandpa grew serious.  “Always remember this, children.  We become like the company we keep.  If we choose wisely and spend time with good company and quality mentors, we develop good character with qualities that will serve us well.  If we choose bad company, we’ll find ourselves struggling to get along in the world.  To make a friend, you must be a friend and be the kind of friend you would like to have.  Treat people the way you wish to be treated.”