A Path for Two

A small wooden crate waited near the front door. Inside lay a neatly folded pale cloth that the two friends wanted to return to a neighbour. Puschel lifted the crate with both paws. It was light enough to carry, and he could easily see over its rim. Puschel“I can manage this. But my door openers are busy.” He looked at his two paws and grinned.

Flauschi stepped beside the door. Flauschi“Then I’ll look after the door.” She opened it wide and stayed by the handle. Puschel waited until the passage was clear. Then he walked slowly onto the upper landing. Outside, golden leaves still shone among the green fir trees. Their plain brown doormat lay on the paving below the stone steps, where they had placed it a few days earlier.

Puschel paused on the landing and looked towards Flauschi. The crate rested steadily in his paws. Puschel“Now we’ve even made a path for two.” Flauschi“And we still don’t both have to do everything at once.” She kept holding the door while Puschel considered his next step. It was pleasant to take a little time over a small thing.

Puschel could have put the crate down again, opened the door himself and then picked it up once more. That would have been fine too. Today, though, Flauschi had noticed what might help and offered to do it. Puschel“Thank you for holding it.” Flauschi“You’re welcome. Tell me when you’re through.” A thank-you fitted between the crate and the door without anyone needing a spare paw.

Once Puschel was completely outside, he set the crate to one side on the level landing, clear of the doorway. Flauschi could close the door and join him. They took their time over the two low steps. Only when they were safely at the bottom did they continue with the small crate. Nobody had to keep track of a load, a door and their own tail all at once.

On the familiar path to their neighbour’s home, Puschel thought about Christmas. Later, guests might arrive at their house with bags or a little something to share. Puschel“Then we can make some room for them first too.” Flauschi“And ask what help they would like.” Not everyone wanted somebody to take things from them. A friendly question made room for both help and a cheerful no.

The crate was not a Christmas present. The cloth belonged to their neighbour; they were simply bringing it back. Yet their little walk together felt like part of their growing excitement. They were practising noticing each other. That needed neither wrapping paper nor a new ribbon from the Christmas box.

Puschel“Today you were my third paw.” Flauschi laughed and looked down at her own two paws. Flauschi“Two are quite enough for me. We just helped each other.” Puschel nodded. With the crate in front of his tummy, he walked on beside her. Their footsteps did not have to sound alike to belong together.