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Comparing dwarfs and elves
‘In myths and tales, dwarfs and elves are small humanlike creatures, often endowed with magical powers. Dwarfs generally look like old men with long beards and are sometimes ugly or misshapen. Elves, known for their mischievous pranks, tend to be smaller in stature than dwarves. Though usually associated with Scandinavian…
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Some facts about elves
Tiffi looks up elves first and finds some fascinating facts about them. • Elves are tall and slender • Elves use swords or bows (or both), weapons requiring flexibility and precision, representations of elegance. Elegance is power. • Elves will focus on magic and spirituality and evince disdain for material things, or to…
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More info on elves
‘Like fairies, elves were said to be diminutive shape-shifters. (Shakespeare's elves were tiny, winged creatures that lived in, and playfully flitted around, flowers.) English male elves were described as looking like little old men, though elf maidens were invariably young and beautiful. Like men of the time, elves lived…
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Some facts about dwarves
Now Tiffi looks up facts about the little dwarf creatures. • Dwarves are short and stout. • Dwarves use axes, hammers, crossbows or if the setting allows for it, guns, which are primarily about direct, mechanical (in the case of the crossbow) or chemical (for guns) application of force. Force is power. • Dwarves will focus…
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More info on dwarfs
‘Many legends show dwarfs as kindly beings, generous to those who pleased them but vengeful when offended. The Swiss dwarfs, or “earth-men,” sometimes helped in agricultural work, found straying animals, and put out firewood or fruit for poor children to find. In Scandinavia and Germany also, they were friendly to men, but…
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Some info on Leprechauns
Tiffi knows a bit about leprechauns because of the St. Patricks’ Day story that she celebrated with Jenny this year. ‘Leprechaun, in Irish folklore, fairy in the form of a tiny old man often with a cocked hat and leather apron. Solitary by nature, he is said to live in remote places and to make shoes and brogues. The sound…
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Some things you never knew about leprechauns
Leprechauns have pretty much become the unofficial ambassadors of Ireland. But where do they actually come from? Do they look like the ones sported at St. Patrick’s parades around the world (and every tourist shop in Ireland)? And most important of all, do the tiny Irishmen with their big hats, green jackets, and hidden…
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Tiffi shares what she saw in Bamboo Forrest
“Tiffi I thought you left a while ago,” says Mr. Toffee. “I was doing inventory in the backroom. If I knew that you were still here I would have come up front to talk to you.” Tiffi tells her father that she was looking up information about the little people that she found in Bamboo Forrest. “Dad, it was the strangest…
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What’s going on?
When she arrives at Bamboo Forrest she sees a completely different scenario than the one that she saw earlier. The little people are all playing nicely together and that looks like a gnome reading from a book. She doesn’t interrupt the gnome, but hangs there listening to what he says to the little gnomes. ‘WORLDWIDE…
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Tiffi is having fun!
When the gnome finishes reading to the little gnomes Tiffi introduces herself. “Who are you and what are you doing here? How did you get here?” “Wow girl, slow down,” says the gnome. “That’s a lot of questions for a little guy like me. I am a gnome and these are my little gnomes. I was just telling them some stories about…
