The Little Maple Propeller

Leaves rustled beneath the sycamore maple. Puschel was admiring a bright red pile when something tiny spun past his nose.

Puschel“Whoops! A little helicopter without a pilot!”

He held out both paws. The brown wing turned once more and settled softly on the moss.

Flauschi“It is a fruit from the maple tree. A fruit does not have to be soft and sweet. Look: here is a seed that can grow into a new tree, with a little wing attached.”

Flauschi used her green explorer’s magnifying glass to point to another one on the ground. Two wings were still joined at their bases.

Puschel“They wait together in the tree and travel one at a time?”

Flauschi“Yes. When the two parts separate, each wing can spin as it falls. The wind carries it away.”

A fresh breeze stirred the leaves. Puschel carefully spun around once and stopped with a laugh.

Puschel“I am a giant maple propeller! But I had better stay here, or my tail might land in a bramble bush.”

Flauschi giggled. They left the fruits where they lay and watched another little wing drift slowly to the ground.

Flauschi“Some seeds reach a suitable spot. Perhaps a young maple will grow there one day.”

Puschel waved to the little traveller. This time he did not chase after it. Watching was just as exciting.