Room for Surprises

Yesterday Puschel had written his first gift tag. Today the two friends looked for a place where little homemade things could wait until later. Flauschi opened a door in the low living-room cupboard. Inside was a shelf they could easily reach.

Puschel leaned forward curiously. Puschel“There’s something in it already.” Flauschi“Two books. We can put them with the others.” Puschel carefully lifted out the closed books with both paws. Suddenly the shelf looked surprisingly roomy.

Flauschi smoothed a soft cloth and pointed to the clear space. Flauschi“Little surprises could wait safely here.” Puschel looked from the books to the shelf. Puschel“But at the moment there’s only space.” Flauschi“That’s exactly what we’ve prepared today.”

Puschel liked that. He did not have to know yet what might go there. An empty shelf was not a request to make as many presents as possible. Perhaps it would hold a little drawing for someone. Perhaps it would stay empty for a while.

The red pencil and the spare tags waited on the table. The red storybook still had its green bookmark. Puschel raised the other two books a little. Puschel“And these two need a book place now. Not a surprise place.” Flauschi smiled. Flauschi“They already have one. Beside the other books.”

Together they moved the books without throwing anything away. Autumn leaves glowed beyond the round window. Puschel took another look at the soft cloth on the shelf. Puschel“A little bit of empty looks quite tidy, actually.” They had done enough preparation for today.