A Lantern Without Fire

Outside, the sky was slowly turning blue. Puschel’s craft basket stood tidily against the workshop wall. The two pieces of wood lay quietly side by side, with a scrap of fabric between them. Today, Puschel and Flauschi wanted to think about a light for their little Halloween party. There were fourteen days to go.

Flauschi brought a small lantern to the low table. It had a wide base and a shatterproof, translucent cover. Inside was a battery-powered LED light. Its battery compartment was securely closed.

‘A lantern,’ said Puschel. ‘Where’s the fire?’

‘We don’t need any here,’ Flauschi replied. She switched on the light. A warm glow shone through the cover onto the wood.

Puschel peered inside without lifting it. ‘So the flame has the day off.’

‘It wasn’t invited in the first place,’ said Flauschi. ‘This light runs on electricity.’

At first, she put the lantern on the floor beside the table. The bright patch looked especially cosy there. Puschel wanted to show it to Flauschi, but stopped in time.

‘That’s where we always walk to the material basket,’ he said. ‘If I only look at the glow, I might miss the lantern.’

Flauschi looked at the path. ‘You’re right. The light should help us, not get in our way.’

She picked up the lantern again and put it on the clear right-hand side of the low table, well away from the edge. Paper and fabric were stored elsewhere. The lantern stood firmly. The way to the basket was clear again.

Puschel gazed at the warm patch of light on the floor. When he raised a paw, something dark moved beside it. He paused. Then he raised his paw again. The dark shape moved too.

‘Flauschi! My shadow is already practising for the party.’

Flauschi smiled. ‘You’re moving in the light. That’s why it moves with you.’

Puschel gently wiggled his fingers. His shadow wiggled too. Then he lowered his paw and stood still.

‘It can even take a break,’ he said happily.

‘Just like us,’ said Flauschi.

They let the light shine quietly for a while. Nobody had to feel spooked. They could still see the garden through the round windows, and both could see everything clearly inside the workshop.

‘We don’t need a big shadow dance today,’ said Puschel. ‘A little paw wiggle is enough.’

Flauschi nodded. ‘And a clear path.’

Before they left the workshop, she switched off the lantern. Puschel looked back at the table.

‘Good night, lantern without fire. You can shine again tomorrow.’

The craft basket stayed quiet. The path stayed clear. And now their party plan had a place for a friendly, warm light.