A significant tale from Cologne, a city that sits around 50.9382° N, 6.9561° E, revolves around the figure of the mysterious Heinzelmännchen. These unseen beings trace their origins to the pre-modern era, where central-European societies were constructed through trades and manual labor.The Heinzelmännchen, according to the folklore, were small gnomes who would come out at night when everyone in the city was asleep. Swift and meticulous workers, they accomplished all the work of the citizens of Cologne, ranging from crafting, cooking, to doing the laundry. As long as they went undisturbed, the Heinzelmännchen made life in the city seamless. However, one day, a local tailor’s wife, driven by curiosity to discover who was doing all their work, decided to scatter peas on the floor. That night, as the Heinzelmännchen stepped onto the scattered peas, they slipped around, woke up the tailor’s wife, shocked to see the little gnomes.The Heinzelmännchen, who previously worked in secret, felt violated and stopped helping with the chores. From that day, every citizen of Cologne had to do their chores themselves.This tale is reflected in a famous Cologne poem ‘Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln’ by August Kopisch in 1836, and the folklore makes a significant cultural impact in Cologne as well. A fountain in Cologne, built in 1899, is dedicated to the Heinzelmännchen and features the little house gnomes at work, reminding the residents of the importance of respect and gratitude for the work done.