A Little Thank You

Puschel lifted one of the little gift tags from the table. It was still completely blank. Puschel“Does a thank you have to wait until Christmas?” Flauschi put a paw against her chest. Flauschi“I think it can arrive on a perfectly ordinary autumn day too.”

Puschel liked that. So many ideas for later were lying on the table now that there was plenty of room for a small today among them. He turned the tag between his paws. Puschel“Then let’s think about whom we’d like to make happy.” Flauschi“Perhaps someone who helped us once, or simply spent time with us.”

They thought about friendly encounters in the woods. About someone who had stopped to listen. About a greeting that had brightened a grey day. Puschel realised that he was not only remembering big things. Puschel“Listening doesn’t come wrapped up. But it can still feel like a gift.”

Flauschi nodded. Flauschi“And our thank you doesn’t have to be big either.” Puschel looked at the box of questions. Puschel“Good. Otherwise, I’d need to find another box for the thank-you box.” He slid the little tag beside the two drawings. It already looked much less lonely there.

Perhaps they could draw a friendly greeting. Or ask during a visit whether a little help would be welcome. Perhaps a story shared together would be just right. They did not have to decide yet. First, they wanted to think about what the other person might enjoy.

Puschel“And what if somebody doesn’t need any help?” Flauschi“Then our greeting can still be friendly. They’re allowed to say no.” Puschel smiled. His thank you was not supposed to become an extra job. He did not want anyone to feel they now had to think of something in return.

For a while, they told each other about the lovely encounters they remembered. The red ribbon stayed loose on the table, and the slips waited in their box. Puschel“We haven’t wrapped anything at all today.” Flauschi“But we have thought about someone.” Puschel gently put the blank tag back. That was a good beginning – and they really did not need to wait until Christmas for it.