They scrambled up and crept quietly behind a thick bush, taking their basket with them. They hid just in time, for even as Beth settled down and parted the leaves of the bush to peep through, there came a troop of small men with long beards almost reaching the ground! 'Elves!' whispered Joe. The elves went to the toadstools and sat down on them. They were holding a meeting.
(from the Magic Faraway Tree, by Enid Blyton)