The Adventures of Ada & George

Chapter Three: The Grumpy Gnome

As the trio wandered deeper into the forest, their baskets filling with plump red berries, the path grew narrower and wilder.

“Look!” Ada pointed to a patch of mushrooms shaped like umbrellas. She knelt to examine them, giggling as a tiny lizard scurried out from beneath one.

“Careful, Ada,” George warned, holding back a branch that threatened to smack her sister’s face. “You don’t want to touch something poisonous.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Cinderella said. “The mushrooms here aren’t dangerous. Just magical.”

“Magical?” Ada’s eyes sparkled. “What kind of magic?” Cinderella smiled mysteriously. “The good kind.”

They hadn’t walked much farther when they heard a strange noise—like someone muttering and grumbling. Ada stopped in her tracks, tilting her head to listen. Then, from behind a bush, a tiny figure jumped out. It was a gnome, no taller than Ada, with a scruffy gray beard and a pointy nose. His coat was ripped, his boots were muddy, and he looked very, very annoyed.

“Oh, what’s the use? Nobody cares! Nobody listens!” he grumbled, kicking at a rock with

his stubby foot.

“Hello!” Ada called out cheerfully. “Are you okay?”

The gnome looked up, startled. “Who’s asking?” he barked. His eyes narrowed as he took in Ada’s bright pink hair, George’s suspicious expression, and Cinderella’s gentle smile.

“I’m Ada, and this is my sister George and my friend Cinderella,” Ada said. “We’re picking berries for pie. Do you want to help?”

“Pie? Hah! I don’t have time for pies,” the gnome said, waving his hand. “I’ve lost my purple hat—my favorite hat! And without it, I am nothing!” He threw his hands up dramatically, then slumped onto a rock.

Ada sat down beside him, placing her berry basket in her lap. “Maybe we can help you find it,” she offered, tilting her head kindly.

George frowned. “Ada, we don’t even know him. What if he’s dangerous?”

The gnome huffed. “Dangerous? Me? I’m just an old gnome with a missing hat, not some kind of forest monster! Hmph!”

Cinderella placed a gentle hand on George’s shoulder. “Sometimes, people just need a little kindness. Everyone deserves a chance.”

George sighed, though she couldn’t argue with Cinderella. “Fine,” she said. “But let’s be careful, okay?”

“Yippee!” Ada jumped to her feet, clapping her hands. “We’re going on a quest! Where did you last see your hat?”