It was one of those days at the beginning of fall when summer, in some subtle ways began to give way to autumn adventures. Bushes around Boubliwae brook were turning vivid shades or scarlet, orange and gold. Birds were flocking and quarrelling amongst themselves for seniority. No doubt about it, a new season would soon arrive. Midsummer celebrations came and went along with new friends.

The millions of leaves and extra inches of vegetation growth would once again, prepare for winter. So too, must the forest dwellers ready themselves for the coming season by filling their larders with a variety of foods.

After a dark starlit night, the morning sun slowly broke through painting the horizon crimson. It shone like a lantern through the opening in the protruding roots of the giant cedar where the forest gnome, Lil'Owl and his family slept peacefully under blankets of moss. The early morning chirping announced the beginning of a new warm fall day. Flies congregated on the sand along the shore of the brook, cautiously moving about, enjoying the warm rays and softly buzzing amongst themselves.

Most gnomes are active at night to ensure their freedom and especially to avoid confrontations with nasties who wish them harm. However, here deep in the Boubliwae forest, gnomes freely enjoy daytime activities.

Beneath one particular giant cedar years of family activity had laid bare much of the massive roots which projected in twisted tangles from the moss covered forest floor. Sun rays threw shadows from the rope like roots, so the door to the home hidden beneath was camouflaged.

The giant cedars of Boubliwae forest were covered in a pliable, rich warm brown bark. The trees were so mammoth that many humans with arms outstretched and hands joined together could not circle their mighty trunks. It is beneath one of these giants that Lil'Owl and his family live. The tree is one of many that tower above the Boubliwae brook and its roots border the glittering water and pebbly shore.

Sunlight penetrates the towering cedars to reflect off the stream, creating waves of reflected light up and down the massive trunks, moving in time to the musical sounds of the brook and dimmed only for instants by passing clouds.

It had been a warm dry summer and the Boubliwae brook was running high due to the melting snow which ran fresh and clear down Boubliwae Falls. If one stood at the edge of the brook and looked down into the stream you would be amazed at its clarity. Near the beach every stone and pebble on the bottom was visible as were the many water inhabitants lazily resting beneath the crystal clear water by the shore. Out further where the brook joins the stream, the water flowing over the Boubliwae Falls created a magnificent pool which the gnomes simply called, The Pool Garden.

Along one edge of the Pool Garden tall pointed reeds form a deep green thicket, and in the calmest water colorful water-lilies blanket the surface like a coat of many colors. Tiny springs sprout pure water from the rocks that form the wall down which water from the Boubliwae Falls cascades. Narrow pathways lead from the dense cedar forest down to the water's edge worn smooth from night visitors like deer, cougar and bear who all come to drink the untainted water.

Something moves out of the shadow under the root...perhaps you would have thought it a mouse; however, had you waited and watched long enough, keeping very still, you may have been fortunate to see Lil'Owl open the door and emerge into the sunlight, yawning and stretching; gazing left and right, listening to the morning sounds of the Boubliwae Forest and its inhabitants.