The Path Through the Mist

A thin veil of mist lay over the woods. Between the golden leaves, it looked like a thought drifting past very slowly. Puschel stopped on the broad path. Puschel“The woods forgot to put their cosy blanket away. It’s still hanging between the trees.” Flauschi smiled. They could clearly see the path ahead of their paws.

They were taking a short walk along their familiar route. Since their conversation about saying thank you, they had been thinking about visiting their friends. They were not going to arrive unannounced today. First, they would ask when a visit would suit them. But they could take another look at the familiar way together.

Puschel raised a paw. Beside the path stood the old tree whose trunk divided higher up. Puschel“I know that tree. It looks as if it’s waving with two arms.” Flauschi looked at it. Flauschi“And this is where our path makes its gentle bend. The tree helps us remember.” They stayed beside each other on the firm ground.

A yellow leaf came loose and sailed past Puschel’s feet. Puschel“That could be a signpost too.” Flauschi“It’s here today. With the next gust of wind, it could be somewhere quite different.” Puschel nodded seriously. Puschel“Then it must be a signpost with a lot of destinations.” They thought the old tree would be more reliable.

They also looked back along the way they had come. From that direction, the divided trunk looked a little different, but the broad bend was the same. They did not need to scratch signs into the bark or break off any branches. The woods could stay just as they were. Together, they noticed what they could see from the path.

Further away, the trees grew paler in the haze. Flauschi“Our little walk is enough for today.” Puschel agreed. If they could no longer see the path clearly, they would not simply keep going. Their visit could wait for another day.

On the familiar way home, leaves rustled beneath their paws. Puschel“So we’re collecting more than gift ideas for Christmas.” Flauschi“Time for each other too.” Puschel glanced back at the waving tree. He could already imagine their friends’ greeting. They would arrange their visit another time, without any hurry.