The idea for this story was suggested by someone on http://www.free4talk.com, a Language Practice Community.

Every day, Mrs Green kept her garden neat and tidy. She had ten little stone gnomes standing in a row beside her flower pots. In the daytime, they looked quiet and cute. But at night, when everything became dark, the gnomes came alive.

One night, as the clock struck midnight, the first gnome moved his tiny foot. Then the second gnome blinked his eyes. Soon, all ten gnomes were awake. They grinned at each other with wicked smiles.

“Come on,” said the tallest gnome. “It is time for some fun.”

The gnomes ran across the garden. One climbed into the birdbath and splashed water everywhere. Another gnome pulled up Mrs Green’s carrots and threw them like little orange rockets. Two gnomes opened the garden gate and let a stray cat wander in. The cat meowed loudly and chased them in circles, but the gnomes only laughed.

Inside the house, Mrs Green heard strange noises, but she thought it was just the wind. Outside, the gnomes pushed over a watering can, pulled the washing off the line, and even painted moustaches on the garden statues.

Just before sunrise, they hurried back to their places. They froze into stone again, looking sweet and innocent.

In the morning, Mrs Green walked into the garden and gasped. Mud was everywhere. Carrots were missing. Her washing was on the ground. She could not understand it.

Finally, she looked closely at her gnomes. Their little painted faces were messy. Their hands were covered in dirt. For the first time, she saw tiny footprints around them.

Mrs Green crossed her arms. “Right,” she said firmly. “Playtime is over.”

That evening, she locked all the gnomes inside her shed.

From that night on, the garden stayed peaceful, and the naughty gnomes never caused havoc again.

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Vocabulary Notes

Mischievous
Meaning: If someone or something is mischievous, they enjoy causing small trouble or playing naughty tricks.
Example, : “They grinned at each other with wicked smiles, ready for mischievous fun.”
Similar words: naughty, playful, cheeky, tricky
Extra example: “The mischievous child hid his sister’s shoes under the sofa.”

Havoc
Meaning: Havoc means a lot of disorder, mess, or damage.
Example, : “The naughty gnomes never caused havoc again.”
Similar words: chaos, mess, trouble, disorder
Extra example: “The heavy storm caused havoc in the town.”

Stray
Meaning: A stray animal is one that has no home and wanders around alone.
Example, : “Two gnomes opened the garden gate and let a stray cat wander in.”
Similar words: wandering, lost, homeless
Extra example: “A stray dog followed us down the street.”

Gasped
Meaning: Gasped means to suddenly breathe in quickly, usually because of shock or surprise.
Example, : “Mrs Green walked into the garden and gasped.”
Similar words: inhaled sharply, drew in breath, let out a sharp breath
Extra example: “He gasped when he saw how much the repairs would cost.”

Peaceful
Meaning: Peaceful describes a place or situation that is quiet, calm, and without problems.
Example, : “From that night on, the garden stayed peaceful.”
Similar words: calm, quiet, still, restful
Extra example: “The village was peaceful early in the morning.”

Story written by ChatGPT.

Image created by ChatGPT.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

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