One part thought this was fantastic, we could finally grow our wealth and prosperity all over the world, giving everyone a roof over their heads, food on the table and a job to work. The other group was less than pleased, no more power to exploit the ever growing work force in the far east or subsaharan Africa, a lot less opportunity for buying a yacht, they'd have to start paying people more and could see a total downfall of the world's economy at the horizon.

A UN summit was arranged and a total frenzy was only stopped when one person asked: "So what happens with the kids and the old people? The kids are being born at the same rate old people are dying, which means that within 20 years we'll have a very old average global age and a dwindling work force under the pressure of having to care for the elderly. So do we kill the elderly? Do we stop giving them the healthcare they need? Do we let them die at a more natural age of 70-80 instead of 90-100? What do we teach the kids? How do we teach the kids? Schools will close down rapidly with the fewer amount of kids we're having. And where are more kids born? Is it in the western world? Is it in the far east? Is it in Africa? How do we secure the future of our children and how do we help the elderly? Do we facilitate access to euthanasia worldwide? How do religious orders view or explain this? What do we do?''

Each new question sparked another week of debate, five new threats of nuclear war, three new accusations of racism and seven new countries declaring independence. Yet over the years, as the population naturally grew older these questions became more and more pressing. Crime grew, suicides happened more often, poverty seemed to expand and hit the elderly the hardest of all. Each day, hundreds of people found their grandparents, neighbours or friends dead in their house, having starved, hung themselves or else simply died of old age. As the years went by, many of the ''old guard'' in politics, the Boomers if you will, died too. Younger folk began replacing them. Changes were made. Surplus from rich and developed nations were sent to countries in need. Borders softened. People got given opportunities to work in far flung areas of the world, having their travels, house and facilities all paid for by desperate corporations needing a work force. Things started improving.

40 years had passed, most people had a home, food and a job. Everyone seemed happy, kids' birthdays were celebrated by thousands each day. Old people were more and more willing to give their place up to new arrivals. All seemed well.

Until one day, a lonely government worker charged with keeping an eye on global population numbers, who had never seen the number differ from exactly 10,000,000,000 was startled. Fell of his chair and ran out of the room in a panic, trying to find his supervisor.

''Help, please come see this. It's urgent, I don't understand what happened or how it's possible, but you've got to see this.'' he cried when he finally found her.

''What is it? Why are you freaking out?'' she answered, quite perturbed from having been interrupted during her lunch break.

''Just, come with me, you'll see.'' He shouted, already running back.

''Well then, you'll be for later.'' she said to her sandwich before following him to the control room.

''Look!'' he shouted, ''I don't understand how it's possible or what is going on but this is a huge problem, what do we do?''

''Wha- I- How?" She stuttered, quite stumped by what she was seeing. She took a moment to compose herself before grabbing her phone and dialling her president. ''Mister president, sir. There's an issue. The numbers...''

''What is it? What's wrong with the numbers? What's going on?'' she heard from the other side.

''Sir, the numbers...'' She couldn't get the words out.

''What!? For goodness sake, tell me what is going on?'' He shouted, quite disturbed by this phonecall, he hadn't ever been called directly by the agency and frankly hadn't ever expected to be.

''Sir, the numbers...'' She swallowed her nerves, ''They're going down.''

''Wait, that's why?'' I asked, dumbfounded.

''Yep, that's it. It's a very rare trait to have in the mythical world.'' said the small gnome sat across from me.

''So you're telling me, not a single fantastic being can... You're not serious.'' I still couldn't believe it. ''I mean, I know it's fairly rare among humans but c'mon, there's no way.''

''Yes, it's true. You're the only one in a very large area around this place who can do it. There's others around for sure, but those are few and far between.'' He stared intensly, almost eyeing me up.

''What are you planning? Are you trying to kidnap me? With whom? The 15 other gnomes that are waiting in ambush in the kitchen? Or do you work with the Kelpie behind the bar perhaps? Nono, I'm not falling for it, I've done this dance far too often. I shall be leaving.'' The gnome looked like I had just caught him red-handed, which in fairness I had. So did the Kelpie behind the bar. ''No thanks.'' I said, standing up and grabbing my coat before leaving. ''You can go and find someone else who can play the nose-flute.'' I said before slamming the door behind me.