It is a lovely story. I see how it could be extended into a wonderful book. It practically outlines itself. But what keeps people from chopping down the tree homes an massacreing the gnomes with garden tools accidentally without knowing they are even there. I mean humans aren't known for letting nature remain free and beautiful. We like putting in sidewalks and fences and new developments instead of scenic forests. Making it so we can't see them doesn't guarantee their safety. Humans eff things up to regularly.