A Feast Beneath Four Seasons

By evening, the season tree had grown tall and strong. In its crown, pink blossoms stood beside green summer leaves, orange-red foliage and glittering snow. No season pushed another away.

Puschel spread a blanket beneath the tree. Flauschi placed four little treats upon it: berry blossom cakes, sunny yellow fruit, spiced pumpkin rolls and two cups of warm cocoa for the cool winter corner.

Puschel“To the garden!” Puschel said, raising his cup. Then he paused. Puschel“And to your clever ideas.” Flauschi offered him a cake. Flauschi“To your brave steps—even the ones that gave you a snow cap.”

Puschel laughed. Together, they looked up at the four branches. They remembered the dewdrop gate, the tangled paths, the weather whirl and their race against the wind. Many small tasks had become one great journey they shared.

As the first stars appeared, the glass flower on the picnic basket shone one final time in pink, gold, orange-red and icy blue. Then its light grew peaceful. Puschel moved closer to Flauschi. The Garden of the Four Seasons was in balance again—and their finest discovery was that every path became easier when they walked it together.