Puschel’s Quiet Boo

Only 25 days until Halloween! The three paper bats hung on the garden fence. The middle one was still looking upside down between its wings. Puschel waved to it. Puschel“Today I will practise a boo for our party,” he said. Puschel“An enormous one!” Flauschi set the acorn bowl beside the whole pumpkin on the low table. Flauschi“I would like to try it with you. But please tell me before you begin.”

Puschel nodded. Puschel“No secret startling.” Flauschi raised an open paw. Flauschi“If I show my paw like this or say stop, you stop straight away.” Puschel raised his paw too. Puschel“And if I say stop, will you stop as well?” Flauschi“Of course,” said Flauschi. Flauschi“That goes for both of us.”

They stood a little apart on the clear garden path. Puschel took a deep breath. His tummy grew round and his chest rose. Puschel“Here comes my big boo,” he announced. Puschel“Bo—” Flauschi“Stop,” said Flauschi, showing her open paw. Puschel closed his mouth at once. His big boo got stuck after the first little sound.

For a moment, they could hear only the rustling paper bats. Puschel lowered his shoulders. Puschel“Too loud already?” Flauschi nodded. Flauschi“For me today, yes.” He took a small step back. Puschel“Then it is time for a break.” He did not ask whether she could put up with just one more try. Together they watched the waving paper ghosts.

Puschel“My boo was so big that not all of it came out,” Puschel said at last. Flauschi giggled. Flauschi“Perhaps it needs less air.” Puschel looked at his tummy. Puschel“There is still a whole piece of boo left in there.” He slowly blew the air upwards. A curl on his forehead wobbled. Now they both laughed.

After a while, Puschel asked, Puschel“Would you like a very little boo? As quiet as our rustling paper? You can say no.” Flauschi thought about it. Flauschi“Yes. I would like to try a whispered boo.” Puschel stood in front of her again, leaving comfortable space between them. Puschel“I will begin now,” he said. Then he held a paw loosely beside his mouth and whispered, Puschel“Boo.”

Flauschi smiled. Flauschi“I like that. It sounds as though a ghost is politely saying hello.” Now she asked, Flauschi“Would you like to hear one too?” Puschel“Yes, please,” said Puschel. Her boo was so small that he had to prick up his ears. Puschel“A tiny boo with big wings,” he whispered. Behind them, the breeze stirred the paper garland.

They had practised enough for today. Puschel looked at the pumpkin with the pale crescent on its skin. Puschel“Our party does not need an enormous boo,” he said. Puschel“A friendly one is enough.” Flauschi nodded. Flauschi“And there is always room for a break.” They walked to the table side by side. The biggest boo of all could stay unspoken.