The Cape with Room for a Tail

Only twenty days until Halloween. A short purple cape lay on the low garden table. Beside it stood the whole pumpkin with its pale crescent mark. The paper ghosts waved from the fence, and the middle of the three paper bats still hung upside down. Puschel looked at the fabric. Puschel‘Today I’m trying on my costume,’ he said.

Flauschi helped him place the cape over his shoulders. A broad, soft fabric tab held it together at the front of his chest. There was no cord around his neck. Puschel’s face, ears and paws stayed uncovered. Puschel‘It fits beautifully at the front,’ said Puschel. Puschel‘I can even still see my tummy.’ He looked down and smiled happily.

Then he tried to move his tail a little. Behind him, the purple fabric rose like a tiny tent. Puschel stopped. Puschel‘My cape has grown a hill.’ Flauschi took a step to the side. Flauschi‘Your tail is underneath the back of it.’ Puschel looked over his shoulder. Puschel‘I forgot about it when I tried the cape on. And it always comes with me.’

Flauschi‘Then it needs its own space,’ said Flauschi. Puschel took the cape off again. Together they spread it on the table. At the back, two pieces of fabric overlapped closely. Flauschi moved them a little farther apart. A wide gap opened between them, reaching upwards from the bottom. Flauschi‘Your tail could stay free here.’ Puschel‘A tail gap!’ said Puschel. Puschel‘That’s missing from our party plan.’ Flauschi‘It’s missing from the cape,’ Flauschi replied with a giggle.

They arranged the back pieces so the gap stayed open. The cape’s soft tabs held the fabric in its new shape. Then Puschel tried it on once more. This time, the short hem rested loosely beside his tail. Nothing pressed on his fur. Flauschi checked the fabric edge with one paw. Flauschi‘The hem stays well above your feet,’ she said. Puschel gently moved his tail. Puschel‘Now the hill has a way out.’

He took a few calm steps along the clear path and turned slowly towards Flauschi. The cape stayed short, his paws stayed free and his tail moved beside the fabric. Flauschi‘Can you see well?’ asked Flauschi. Puschel‘You, the path and even the pumpkin’s smile.’ Flauschi‘And can you walk comfortably?’ Puschel nodded. Puschel‘With every bit of me.’

Puschel‘Would you like a cape too?’ he asked. Flauschi‘Today I’d rather watch,’ said Flauschi. Puschel‘Then you’re our hem inspector.’ Flauschi‘I’d like that.’ Puschel briefly raised his paws in a friendly greeting. It didn’t need a boo.

Later they took the cape indoors again. Puschel wanted to draw his idea on paper: room to see at the front, room to walk at the bottom and room for his tail at the back. Puschel‘My costume doesn’t have to hide me,’ he said. Flauschi nodded. Flauschi‘It should fit you.’ And this time, Puschel really had remembered every part of Puschel.