Room for Your Wish

The next morning, Puschel and Flauschi visited the woodland lodge once more. Puschel had packed their basket and asked about the visitor path. The path keeper confirmed that the path and bridge were open today. There was still no reply about the found boat. She offered to keep it safely as lost property later.

They walked calmly over the broad bridge, staying behind its railings. Flauschi carried the boat. On the island, the old willow, wish board and low bench awaited them. Puschel put down the basket and toy. Then they sat side by side.

Puschel“I would like an ending with five wishes granted and an especially lovely final speech.”

Flauschi“We do not even know whether the people who wrote the notes will come here today.”

Puschel looked at the board. The wishes for company, joining in and another try still hung there. Their journey had not automatically settled any of them. Flauschi’s rest from planning had not been a task they could tick off forever either.

Puschel“Then I cannot promise that nobody will ever sit alone again.”

Flauschi“You can ask someone whether you may sit beside them.”

Puschel turned to her. He asked whether she wanted company just now. Flauschi nodded and placed her paw in his. Her other paw rested in her lap; her feet touched the grass.

Flauschi“And later I would like to share our tasks with you. My wish is allowed to come up again.”

Puschel“I will not always remember straight away. But I want to listen and do my share, even when you remind me.”

That sounded smaller than his grand final speech. It was also something he could really try. Flauschi leant a little closer. A willow branch moved in the breeze.

The bench stayed a bench. It did not become a solution for every lonely day. But just now it had made room for two wishes: being together and not carrying everything alone.