Slalom Between Sun and Snow

The golden line soon wound between snow hills and sun-warmed islands of grass. Some gaps were too wide to jump, while other paths were so slippery that even Flauschi’s careful paws began to slide.

Puschel found a large flat leaf, placed it on the snow and climbed aboard. Puschel“Season slalom! You take the warm islands and I will take the fast winter track.” Flauschi tied the glass flower where they could see it on a small twig at the finish.

Off they went. Puschel swept across the snow in wide curves, balancing with his tail. Flauschi leapt from one grassy island to the next while crocuses opened beneath her paws.

Just before the finish, Puschel’s leaf turned sideways. Flauschi pointed towards a soft drift. Flauschi“Tail to the left!” Puschel steered, sprayed a glittering cloud into the air and stopped directly beside the final grass island.

Flauschi landed at the finish twig one heartbeat later. The four glass petals shone as though they had been cheering for both of them. Puschel“A tie,” Puschel said. Flauschi untied the flower. Flauschi“Exactly right. You took your way, I took mine—and we both reached the same goal.”