Take me to Tokla
Where the bright sun shines
To the smell of berries
And the forest pines
To the bridge of love and happiness
To the house of Uzla
And the Kra Expresse
Take me to Tokla
To the gnomes and streams
Of foreverland
Where the moon shines with dreams
And laughter fills the hearts of queens
Many hundreds of years ago there was an old lady named Uzla who lived in the kingdom of Tokla. Tokla was a special kingdom because it had mushrooms for houses, and the inhabitants were tiny, little creatures called gnomes who dwelled in the grasses. The gnomes were children being raised by Uzla.
Uzla was special. She was wise and funny, and the children often heard her laughing at all times of the day. She was very happy. Uzla smelled like the flowers, and she had a healthy glow that the gnomes thought magical. She had no powers, but a lot of love in her heart which brought her many special rewards every day.
Uzla liked to cook for the gnomes. She spent most of her time in her cottage making exotic soups, and delicious, sugary treats. Even though she loved them all, Uzla was especially interested in five little gnomes; Suga, Brecht, Trinket, Comet, and Alenitis. These gnomes played in the woods nearby, and would always bring her flowers for her clean table and berries for the pies they loved to watch her bake.
They loved to visit her cozy and colorful home. They loved Uzla because she could satisfy their vast appetites for imagination and folklore. Each day they would learn something new. You could go to the creek, play in the grasses, or eat berries all day long. It didn't matter.
Uzla had a small, heart-shaped face. She had sky-blue eyes and long, golden hair as light as the sun, covered with a decorative bandana. She wore matching clothes; a long red skirt with a yellow blouse and black vest. She always had many things to do during the day.
If you've never been to Tokla, you need to know that it's located near Cagend, a little town on the Isle of Puka. It is a native village that celebrates and feasts all year long. The natives beat on Puka shells that come from the ocean, and blow through barkglades that we know as flutes. The Cagenians sing and dance nude during these festivities because it's so hot.
Tokla is so near Cagend that gnomes can hear all the celebrations everyday. On occasions, they ride on Kra, a warm, furry caterpillar who is their main source of transportation. They ride on his back all the way to the edge of the town and watch the natives. Uzla and the children dance together as they watch the festivities. Of course, the Cagenians never saw the gnomes because they were so small.
One day, as the five gnomes were playing in the hills, there came a noise from the villagers. Afraid, the gnomes ran for cover, hoping to reach Uzla's cottage for protection. The noises came from the East, louder and louder until the gnomes ran erratically down paths they didn't even know.
Comet, the fastest runner of the five gnomes, came to Uzla's house first. He ran in screaming “The Cagenians are coming, the Cagenians are coming! Suga, Brecht, and Trinket saw them running down the footpaths. Hurry, hide everyone!”
Uzla, who was making clover soup, was interrupted by his panic. She replied, “Let's go get all the others so they won't be afraid!”
“No, Uzla, they're coming as fast as they can, down paths they don't even know. They should be here soon,” he replied as he started to go out the door. "I"ll go.”
“Comet wait, I want to go with you.” Uzla took off her apron and followed Comet, coming to Alenitis first who was tired and sweaty from running so fast.
“Where are Suga, Brecht and Trinket?”
Alenitis answered, a little out of breath, “They're running along the westward paths, by the stream in the valley.”
They scurried as fast as they could, afraid of the Cagenians who were making crackling noises breaking through briars and brush that surrounded the village of Tokla. They ran across Sunshine Bridge just in time as it split in half as all got across it safely.
When the trio reached the cottage they found some of the other gnomes upstairs crying and hiding under Uzla's bed. Some were looking out of Rainbow Window.
The Cagenians were not known to be violent people, but it would be easy to accidentally step on one of the little ones and crush them to death.
