The First Spark Jump

The moment Puschel and Flauschi stepped outside the workshop, five tiny lights appeared among the trees. They formed a path over roots, cushions of moss and a fallen log. Puschel took his place at the start and bounced on his paws. Puschel“A spark-jumping course!”

He reached the first light with an elegant leap. At the second, he landed rather less elegantly in a soft fern. Only his blue ears remained visible. Laughing, Flauschi pulled him out and brushed the leaves from his fur.

At the fallen log, Puschel stopped. The third light shimmered beyond it, but in the evening glow the gap suddenly looked very wide. He took a run-up, stopped again, and pretended that his paw urgently required inspection.

Flauschi said nothing. She stood beside him and held out her paw. Puschel took it. Together they jumped over the log—not especially far, but exactly far enough. The copper star lantern swung between them, and its single spark shone brightly.

The final two lights led them in a slalom around two mushrooms. Puschel tried to be particularly fast, made one turn too many and arrived back where he had started. Flauschi silently pointed in the correct direction.

At the end of the path, they saw Star Hill in the distance. Puschel raised both paws in victory. Puschel“A new record!” Flauschi nodded. Flauschi“Especially for running in circles.” The spark inside the lantern bounced in agreement.