In the little house it was cosy and warm.
Nell was knitting, and Pip was at play.
Each of the gnomes was a bit of a loner,
Very serious and wrapped up in his own way.
Outside the window a storm was rumbling,
Drumming like a fidget on the saucepans!
The drizzle began to patter, eager for mischief.
Well, can you really blame the rascal?
They put on a whole concert together!
If you're outside, you'd best run for cover!
Get under a roof right now,
Whether you're a poet or a deep-sea diver.
Or water will squelch inside your boots.
You'll be soaked like a leaf
Clinging to the trees to keep warm.
Indoors you must go, quick, be brief!
The little hare would surely have been lost,
But he spotted a lovely little house at last.
In the little house it was cosy and warm,
Nell was knitting, and Pip was at play.
Who is knocking so timidly at the door?
Could it be the rain? But someone's silent.
Yet the knock came again. No doubt about it,
Who could it be? The guest must answer.
Nell, leaving her ball of wool on the chair,
Called out, 'Who's there?' not hurrying to the door.
'Auntie, let me in! It's me, the hare. I'm soaked,
I barely escaped a wolf, I did.'
Nell didn't know what to do:
'Dear one, we gnomes don't like making friends,
And troubles are no concern of ours here...'
'Auntie, who else can I turn to, who?
I've lost my way, and I'm so cold...
Perhaps my fear will melt away in sleep,
But where can I sleep? Only water all around.
I'll probably never make it home...'
Then Pip runs up to the door:
'Of course we're gnomes. Sorry, Gran,
But we're not stones. And whoever is in trouble,
We'll help them always and everywhere.'
Nell sighed: 'Grandson, you're right.
I'd quite forgotten our manners.
Dear little hare, come in quickly,
Don't be shy, take a biscuit.'
Yes, gnomes can sometimes be gruff.
We keep to ourselves and dislike trouble.
But we won't abandon you, we'll help you now.
Forgive us, little bunny, please.
In the little house it was cosy and warm.
Nell was knitting, and Pip was at play.
Beside them the little one rolled a toy lorry.
A sweet moment of priceless friendship reigned.
