Three Bats and a Bow

Only 26 days until Halloween! The two paper ghosts waved on the garden fence. The whole pumpkin and the little bowl with the acorn stood on the low table. Today Flauschi put some dark craft paper beside them. Flauschi“Our ghosts are getting company,” she said.

Puschel“An acorn with wings?” asked Puschel. Flauschi“Three paper bats,” said Flauschi. She drew a round body, two little ears and broad wings. Puschel drew a second bat. They took turns drawing the third: Flauschi made the body, and Puschel added the wings. One was a little wider than the other. Puschel“That one can wave especially well,” he said.

The two adult Wuselhörnchen carefully cut out their drawings. Afterwards they put away the scissors and all the scraps. Flauschi laid a short cord on the table. Flauschi“We will hang them side by side on this. Then we can see all three.” Puschel nodded. Puschel“A little flying line!”

They attached the first bat by its ears. Puschel held the second paper bat the other way round. He tied the cord to its little feet. Then they added the third. Only when he lifted the garland did he notice his mishap. The middle bat had its ears pointing down.

Puschel“Oops! That one is the wrong way up,” said Puschel. He was already reaching for the knot. Flauschi looked at the three paper faces. Flauschi“Wait a moment. That is just right for a bat. Real bats often rest upside down.” Puschel let go of the knot. Puschel“So mine has finished work already?” Flauschi“Perhaps it is waiting very comfortably for our party,” said Flauschi.

Puschel held the cord a little lower so they could both reach it easily. Flauschi picked up a short orange ribbon. She wanted to tie the right end to the fence with a bow. But on her first try, one loop grew enormous while the other stayed tiny. Flauschi“My bow has one big wing and one little wing,” she said.

Now Puschel giggled. Puschel“It belongs with our wonky bat!” Flauschi loosened the ribbon and gently pulled the loops to the same size. Together they fixed the other end to a low fence slat too. The short garland stayed beside the waving ghosts. No cord stretched across the path.

They counted: one, two, three. A gentle breeze moved the paper wings. The middle bat stayed happily upside down. Flauschi“Three bats and a bow,” said Flauschi. Puschel nodded contentedly. Puschel“And a little mishap that can stay.” Then he waved to the ghosts. Their party had grown by one more idea.