Hans (garden gnome)

Hans was a garden gnome who "lived" in Saint-Clément with a kindly old man named George. On 26 September 1996, Hans was one of seven gnomes "liberated" by the Garden Gnome Freedom Front. It was the night of the full moon, when garden gnomes awaken. Because the gnomes awakened in a Druid circle, they were able to remain sentient indefinitely. The three "liberators" thought of Hans as Handsome Hans, because of his meticulous, fashionable appearance.

Because Hans loved Georges and did not want to break his heart by disappearing, he resolved to remain with Georges until the latter's death, then he would go adventuring throughout Europe. Much to the surprise of the Front members, Handsome Hans was not chosen as a romantic mate by the widowed gnome Gretchen. Instead, Gretchen, who had a bunch of male gnomes to choose from, improbably selected "Ugly Togs" Karl.