A Wish Without Tasks

On the morning after their island visit, Flauschi grew quiet for a moment while they packed the picnic basket. Their notice about the found boat was at the woodland lodge; no reply had arrived yet. The toy and its folded wish note stayed with them. Today they only wanted to visit their familiar woodland clearing.

Puschel asked about the route, the food and the best order for everything. Flauschi answered the first question. Before the second, she looked out of the window.

Flauschi“I would like to tell you something. Could we sit on the bench for that later?”

Puschel“Of course. I can make a conversation plan straight …”

He paused. Flauschi had asked for time, not an agenda. Puschel packed familiar bread, washed apple pieces and water. They both knew the dry path to the clearing. There, he put the basket beside the bench and gave the boat a stone of its own.

They sat on the low seat with their feet on the grass. Flauschi placed one paw against her chest and opened the other, as though showing something small that nobody had seen before.

Flauschi“I like ideas and plans. But for once, I would like not to be the one who has to remember everything.”

Puschel opened his mouth, then closed it again. His first answer would already have contained three suggestions. Instead, he let Flauschi continue.

Flauschi“Not even the plan for how you can help me take a break. Today I would like simply to come along.”

Puschel“You would like a rest from being responsible for everything. Have I understood?”

Flauschi“Yes. And I do not want to have to explain why I deserve that rest.”

Puschel nodded. For a moment they heard only the leaves. Flauschi did not become cheerful straight away, and she did not have to. Her words could stay just as they were.

Puschel“Today I will look after our things and the familiar route. You can tell me if you want something different. But you do not have to check everything.”

Flauschi breathed out. Her wish had not needed a name on an island board. It had needed a place beside someone who listened.