I heard this noise(similar to the cauldron being moved) and was looking round wondering what it was.

A male villager was "Exercising" by lifting the boulders/stones near the graveyard/scarecrow sticks bit then came out of it and shook his head saying the familiar "No" (I've had my fair share of very VERY stubborn villagers). It also said "The villager wasn't succesful this time".

What was that all about!!??

He gained some building skill.