The First Whistle

For the festival games, Flauschi placed two branches on the meadow as a goal. Puschel set the ball beside them and explained that everyone must warm up before the first whistle. At that moment, his tail nudged the ball.

Puschel“That was not the whistle! It was merely a preliminary roll.”

The ball rolled downhill. Puschel raced after it and noticed the hedge at the end rather late. Flauschi ran ahead and stopped the ball with one calm paw.

Flauschi“When we practise, we first notice where the ball wants to go—and then where we want it to go.”

Now Puschel passed to Flauschi instead of chasing the ball alone. Flauschi returned it directly into his path.

Puschel“That feels much better. And the hedge will remain unharmed today.”

On their next attempt, the ball rolled through the twig goal. Puschel cheered, Flauschi bowed and the golden acorn shone beside the field. Their first practice began by accident, but ended with genuine teamwork.