Dear Reader,

Before you begin your journey in discovering the earth education path, I would like to introduce you to some special characters that will help you along the way. They are known as the Tellurian Gnomes.

In their marvelous book, Out Of This World, Michael Page and Robert Ingpen gave us a general description of those magical earth spirits called gnomes:

The international family of gnomes dates back to the era when the form of the globe consolidated out of Chaos, and the forces responsible for precious and base metals and precious stones implanted them beneath the surface of the earth. Unlike men, gnomes learn from the past and they also have the ability to predict and learn from the future. Their name derives from the Greek word gignosko, meaning "to learn, understand," and the principal gnome characteristic is an acute understanding of every aspect of the Cosmos.

Gnomes are about twelve centimeters tall and formed in proportion . . . . Apart from their small size, a notable difference between gnomes and humans is their expression of ageless good humour. They lack the human facility for worrying, practise therapeutic festivity, and consequently live for several hundred years.

Gnome character is helpful and benign. Gignosko provides them with insight into the spirits of all animate and inanimate creatures and objects, so that they find it easy to influence and co-operate with trees, tools, animals, plants, and every other creation of the Cosmos and its inhabitants.

Their diet is largely vegetarian, basically cereals and root vegetables . . . . They brew excellent ale but use it in moderation except in some festivals. Gnomes pioneered many crafts, such as weaving and woodworking, but they have not felt disposed to explore more complex technologies. They live in simple comfort and avoid the problems of industrialisation.

Their original duty was that of supervising and surveying the mineral treasures of the earth. Each group of family looked after the load of copper, a vein of gold, a pipe of diamonds, a seam of coal, or some similar resource implanted underground, close to their particular area of responsibility. To facilitate their work they developed the ability to move or "swim" through the earth.

Their helpful nature inspired them to assist men in discovering natural treasures, in such ways as guiding the feet of prospectors and influencing the science of geology, even though gignosko warned them that men would use these treasures for evil as well as good. But even their gift of prediction, or "future mining," could not foresee the unending extent of human avarice and its consequences.

As men delved deeper into the earth countless gnomes found themselves displaced. Clumsy miners wrecked entire colonies and the roar of explosions made life unbearable. Some gnomes turned against the miners . . . but the majority decided to emigrate to the surface and begin a new existence in the light of day.

The first surface gnomes (unkindly known as "superficial gnomes" by their underground brethren) emerged into the forests of Britain and Europe at about the time of King Arthur. They found the dimness of the huge forests compatible with their underground nature, and established colonies in the root systems of great trees.

As time passed, their benign character tempted them to aid in human affairs. The little milkmaid weary of her task would find all the milk pails filled before she rose in the morning, the sleeping shepherd and many poor tailor or shoemaker prospered when gnome families worked night shifts in their workshops.

Humans often glimpsed the gnomes but never succeeded in capturing one. Gignosko always keeps gnomes a step ahead of humans and the most cunning of gnome traps never tempted a victim. Eventually humans simply accepted their presence and knew that gnomes would not harm them.

Gnome lifestyles changed yet again when humans felled the forests just as they had looted the earth. Gnomes had to retreat further and further away from the homes of men, and they are now seen only in the few remaining forests of Britain and Europe. In other parts of the world, gnomes have adapted themselves in various ways. Some still try to assist humans by imparting some of their own gift of understanding. A few have turned mischievous, like their cousins the gremlins, and they torment humans with minor but irritating activities. Other gnome families have travelled as far as Australia in search of a new life.

tELLURIAN gNOMES

The Tellurian Gnomes, while similar in many ways to other gnomes, are an unusual race who have special responsibilities for guarding the earth's natural places.

They have large eyes, ears and hands, but very small mouths, because to learn you have to see and hear and do, but not talk. In fact, Tellurian Gnomes seldom speak.

They also have rather bulbous noses because their sense of beauty is based upon smell. The highest compliment they pay each other is to say, "You smell right." And one often hears the farewell, "May you have a day of good smells."

The Tellurians wear large, oversized coats made up of a dozens of pockets, each one containing some natural treasure they are seeking a home for, or some tool for helping them experience the riches of nature (bulkier items are carried in their multicolored, drawstring gnome bags). Of course, all gnomes like to dress up, but perhaps because of their special work, the Tellurians often adopt heroic costumes.

When they are wearing their regular clothing Tellurians have hats that look like the tops of mushrooms. In fact, if they get caught out in the open, they squat down quickly, slipping their legs into the earth, so that most people believe they are just looking at another mushroom. (Whenever you see a particularly large mushroom, you should check it out, it may actually be a Tellurian Gnome hiding there.)

Fortunately, this race of gnomes appears to have an affinity for earth educators, and you will find them offering a helping hand at every turn of our path. You will be wise to keep an eye out for them because the Tellurians have an innate sense of the earth's needs.

May you have a journey of good smells,

Steve Van Matre

Continue... Chapter One: Environmental Education... Mission Gone Astray

Earth Education... A New Beginning Copyright © 1990 The Institute for Earth Education. All Rights Reserved.