The Festival of Friendly Ghosts

On October 31, Puschel did not have a single day left to count. Halloween was here! The three paper pumpkins welcomed them at the house. Inside hung two paper ghosts and the three bats; the middle one was still upside down.

Puschel wore his short purple cape, and Flauschi wore her dark one. The broad chest tabs sat below their free necks. Paws, feet and tails had room. Today they were friendly Wusel vampires.

Puschel“Ready for our party?”

Flauschi“Ready. And ready for a break too.”

Neither of them wanted face paint today. Their little vampire smiles worked just as well without it. Teddy sat on his low chair. Puschel had dressed him in the short purple cape and closed the soft belly fastening. The little stuffed bear stayed quiet and unpainted.

The pumpkin lantern was still firm and undamaged. Flauschi placed it securely on the low table. The LED light shone inside its friendly face. The fireplace stayed unlit and the paths stayed clear. The old whole pumpkin was still sheltered and remained uncut.

When their familiar Wusel friends arrived, Puschel raised his paw. He meant to give a polite little bow. But he was so excited that he said:

Puschel“Good pumpkin! Lovely to see you smiling!”

For a moment, he looked surprised. Then everyone laughed kindly together.

Flauschi“I think you mean: Good evening. Lovely to have you here.”

Puschel“That too. But you can still smile.”

Puschel held up the crooked paper pumpkin. Suddenly he remembered the first garden pumpkin, whose pale crooked mark had made him grin.

Puschel“That was where our excitement began.”

Flauschi“And every day you added something kind to it.”

For the guessing game, Puschel hid the paper pumpkin behind his back. Only its green paper stalk peeped over his shoulder. Flauschi raised a paw with a smile.

Flauschi“Is it orange and not very well hidden?”

Puschel“A very good clue from my own pumpkin!”

They played another round with the soft ball and the empty cups. Anyone who preferred watching could simply sit with them. Nobody had to be loud, knock on doors or collect sweets.

After a while, Flauschi pointed to the cushions. They sat down to rest. Puschel took off Teddy’s cape before cuddling the stuffed bear.

Puschel“Our party is very quiet right now.”

Flauschi“And it is still our party.”

Later, they said goodbye to their friends. They took their capes off and switched off the LED light. The paper pumpkin went back on top of the things in the basket.

Puschel“Do you know which ghost I liked best today?”

Flauschi“The friendly one?”

Puschel“All the friendly ones. And you as a Wusel vampire.”

Flauschi smiled. For thirty days they had waited, made things, laughed and sometimes simply rested. Now their little Halloween evening was over. The feeling of being together could stay.