My Hoebble Story
“Stones appear at the door”
Last year a Hoebble left nature and visited my home, although it took me a little while to realise what was happening. At first I found a small pile of stones outside my front door. I recognised the formation as being similar to a Hoebble’s wayfinding method but I didn’t think too much on it.
“A Hoebble visits my home”
The next day I noticed signs of movement in my home; dusty trails along the floor, nibbled pieces of fruit and books slightly out of place. Now I was suspicious! I had heard that Hoebbles like to go into human homes for supplies but I had no idea that I would be lucky enough to be visited by one myself! If there was a Hoebble in my home I wanted it to feel safe and comfortable so I decided to make it a bed that it could rest in during its stay.
A photo of the bed I made the Hoebble in January 2021
I have seen images of Hoebble beds throughout history so I used these as references to help inspire me (you can see one on the About Hoebbles page).
HOW TO:
With my growing workload from the Hoebble Census and my own personal research projects I am now rather busy.
If I suspect another Hoebble might visit me I wanted to be able to make a simpler bed that would be quicker to build.
I have practised this and made a how-to video should you ever need to make a Hoebble bed in a hurry!
“I take a walk in nature”
The Hoebble stayed in my home for a few days and although I didn’t spot it I knew it was there as it had gathered supplies and laid them by its bed. I now know that I was visited by an Aquatic Hoebble as they mainly collected materials that can float. After a week I remembered something crucial that I had learnt in my research on Hoebbles. As they are an important force in our world’s natural balance they can’t be away from the wilderness for too long. It is understood that Hoebbles who come into homes for supplies can sometimes struggle to find their way back outside. However there are ways of helping them.
I knew I needed to help this Hoebble get home into nature and I had discovered that they are brilliant at tracking scents back to their origin so I had an idea. I went on a walk to my local park (something I often enjoy doing) and when I was there I went to my favourite spot, a tree by the pond, and decided this would be the perfect place to send the Hoebble. It was not only beautiful, but it would also serve as a great natural habitat with fresh soil and a source of water. I gathered some items from the area (twigs, leaves, stones, feathers) and then went back home and placed these on the Hoebble’s bed. I had read that if they smell these items they will be able to transport themselves to the place where they came from - how lovely to think of the Hoebble exploring my local park!
“The Hoebble returns to the wild”
I left the items overnight and when I woke up they had disappeared! Where the bed had been before there was now just the pile of stones I had found by my door and a thank you note. The Hoebble wrote that the items from the park had given them a clear trail back home into the wild and they were so glad - they did love their stay but they were ready to be out there helping nature again. The Hoebble also left me a corner of a biscuit as a gift - it was one of my own but like my Aunt Rosa always used to say, it's the thought that counts!
Professor Harold Nahas of the History Society has told me that a Hoebble never usually returns to the same place twice. I imagine the Hoebble is now off on its next adventure - how exciting that I could help!
KEEPING A DIARY
When a Hoebble chose to visit me I kept a diary of the events (as you see above) and it really helped me to think more about this wonderful being’s habits.
Maybe you could keep a diary of what happens in your home should a Hoebble choose to visit you!