The Costume Test on the Wusel Path

“Six days until Halloween,” said Puschel. “Today we’ll find out whether our capes can keep up with us.”

Flauschi smoothed her short dark cape. Puschel’s purple one was ready too. Both had broad, soft tabs across the chest. There were no cords around their necks.

“Yours needs to remember your tail as well,” said Flauschi.

Puschel gently moved it through the wide opening at the back. “They’ve already met.”

They went onto the clear, level garden path. First they walked slowly forwards, then turned around. The short hems stayed well above their feet. Flauschi could look left and right. Puschel raised both paws.

“Waving works too!”

He had added a soft bow to one edge of his cape. As he waved, a loose loop brushed his paw.

Puschel stopped. “It’s waving too. But it doesn’t ask first.”

“Then let’s leave it off,” said Flauschi.

Puschel took off his cape. Together they removed the whole bow and put it in the craft basket. The broad chest tab stayed. When Puschel put the cape on again, his paws were free.

Next they sat on the low garden bench. Their tails rested beside the fabric, and nothing pulled. They stood up again.

“Walking, sitting, waving,” Flauschi counted. “All comfortable?”

“Nearly,” said Puschel. “Someone hasn’t had a turn yet.”

He fetched his little brown stuffed teddy and a short piece of purple fabric. Flauschi helped fold it into a tiny cape. A broad, soft fabric tab held it loosely around Teddy’s tummy. No cord went around his neck.

Puschel placed Teddy on a wide, low stool beside the bench. He gently adjusted him until he sat securely supported. The toy’s legs peeked out beneath the short hem.

“Time for the practice walk,” said Puschel.

Teddy stayed sitting.

Puschel waited. Flauschi waited too.

“He’s starting with the sitting test,” Puschel explained at last.

“Very thorough,” said Flauschi.

They giggled. Then they walked a few more steps themselves and waved to their quiet guest. Puschel’s paws stayed free, and so did Flauschi’s flower. Their capes left room for their tails.

“What if someone wants to come without a costume?” Flauschi asked.

“Then they can sit with us just the same,” said Puschel. “Even without a sitting test.”

That was enough practice for today. They folded their capes indoors. Puschel carried Teddy inside and took off his tiny cape.

“Your costume will wait until the party,” he said.

Teddy got his familiar snuggling place. He had that even without a cape.