The Ribbon Wants to Help

Before a mysterious lantern could be examined, Puschel believed it had to be thoroughly dusted. Flauschi placed it on the workbench and fetched a soft cloth. Puschel, however, found the enormous feather duster. Puschel“This will make it twice as fast!”

On the first sweep, the lantern gleamed. On the second, its violet ribbon wrapped itself around the duster. On the third, the ribbon was around Puschel’s paw, the duster was between his ears, and a cloth covered his nose. The lantern itself remained perfectly calm on the table.

Flauschi folded her arms and looked at him. Flauschi“Should I ask?” Puschel blinked from beneath the cloth. Puschel“The ribbon wanted to help.”

She tried to stay serious, but a giggle escaped. Carefully she freed his paw, then the duster, and finally Puschel’s tail, which had somehow joined the knot as well. Puschel kept completely still—or almost completely.

When the final knot came loose, the ribbon softly returned to the handle. At that very moment, a golden spark glowed inside the star lantern. It bounced once as if it too were laughing, then pointed towards the workshop door.

Puschel“You see,” Puschel said proudly, Puschel“my method worked.” Flauschi shook her head, brushed dust from his tousled hair and kissed his forehead. Flauschi“Then your method may tidy the table now.” Outside, the first lights of their new path were already waiting.