Puschel’s Gift Idea

A log crackled in the fireplace. Two cups stood on the low table, and the paper star turned slowly in the window. Puschel had walked past the Christmas chest twice already. The third time, he stopped. He wanted to give Flauschi something she would still enjoy after she had unwrapped it. But what could it be?

His eyes went from the pine cone with its red bow to the red book. Flauschi liked them both. They had decorated the pine cone together, and the green bookmark still marked the place where they had last read aloud. Puschel walked over to Flauschi at the edge of the rug and held out an open paw. Puschel“If you could choose one afternoon to have all over again, which would you pick?”

Flauschi put her paws together and thought. Flauschi“Do you remember folding the paper star?” Puschel“Yes. My first point was all crooked.” Flauschi“That was my favourite bit. We opened up the paper again and worked out together where the fold should go.”

Puschel looked at the window. From here he could not have found the crooked point again. Yet that was the very bit Flauschi remembered. Then she pointed to the book. Flauschi“And when you read aloud, I like it when you pause.” Puschel“Because something exciting is about to happen?” Flauschi“Because then I can tell you what I’m imagining.”

The golden bell rested on its soft cloth. Puschel had thought of giving her a bell of her own. Now he remembered how long they had listened side by side after the bell rang. He left it where it was and waited to see if Flauschi had more to say. Flauschi“I liked that patch of sunshine the other day, when we just stayed there for a bit.”

Puschel moved a cup away from the edge and looked at Flauschi. Puschel“Shall we carry on reading from the green bookmark later?” Flauschi“I’d like that. Can I tell you what I see in the picture first this time?” Puschel“Yes. I’ll hold the book so we can both see it.”

There were forty-nine days left until Christmas. Puschel had an idea now. He could choose a story and keep an afternoon free for Flauschi, so they could stop as often as they liked while they read. He kept his choice of story to himself. Today they would carry on from the page where the green ribbon peeked out.