Winter Stores in the Woods

Something rustled beside the woodland path. Puschel stopped and held both paws close to his chest. Between a thick root and the golden leaves sat a red squirrel with a hazelnut. It had reddish-brown fur and a bushy tail. Puschel“Look. It’s brought its breakfast along already.”

Flauschi stayed beside him on the path. She looked across too, without stepping closer. Two more nuts lay beside the root. Flauschi“Perhaps it’s eating now. Squirrels also store food in autumn for the winter.” Puschel studied the little nut between the animal’s front paws. Puschel“Then the woods must be full of tiny cupboards.”

He spoke so quietly that it was more like a thought with a voice. Flauschi“The food is hidden in different places. We leave those places alone.” Puschel kept his paws where they were. Being able to see a nut certainly did not make it his.

For a while, they watched the squirrel. It turned the nut between its front paws. Puschel“It’s very good at holding that.” Flauschi nodded. A stretch of woodland path stayed clear between the two Wuselhörnchen and the animal. They did not need to get right up close to notice something.

Puschel thought about their Christmas box at home. Paper, ribbon and little ideas could wait there for another day. Puschel“At home, a gift tag is waiting. For the squirrel, it’s something to eat.” Flauschi“Yes. And that’s why we don’t take anything from a food hiding place.” Puschel looked at his empty paws. Puschel“Good thing I’ve switched my collecting paws to watching today.”

Flauschi smiled. They did not need to search beneath the leaves for more nuts either. No hiding place had to be uncovered just so they could take a closer look. The woodland floor could stay as they had found it.

When the squirrel moved, they quietly continued along their path. Puschel did not turn back towards the nuts. Puschel“We can plan something for our guests at home. With things of our own.” Flauschi“And leave this woodland guest’s things here.”

Soon they could only hear their footsteps rustling again. Puschel“Today I’ve learned something without collecting anything.” Flauschi“That fits nicely into your memory.” Puschel grinned. There was still plenty of room there – even without a cupboard.