Author: Hans Christian Andersen

Several lizards were scurrying around quickly in the cracks of an old tree trunk. They understood each other well because they all spoke the lizard language.

"Oh dear, what a racket there is in the old Elf Hill," said one lizard. "I haven't been able to sleep a wink the last two nights because of the noise. I might as well have had a toothache the whole time, since I can't sleep then either."

"Something's going on up there," said the second lizard. "They propped the hill up on four red stakes until dawn. It's had a good airing, and the Elf girls have learned some new dances with lots of stomping."