Puschel and the Offended Sock

The washing machine had stopped humming. Warm light came through the two round frosted windows. An empty laundry basket waited on the leaf-patterned rug.

Puschel crouched beside the little cream machine to the right of the washbasin. Only when the programme was finished and the door unlocked did he open it.

Puschel“Well, dear laundry. Your merry-go-round has arrived!”

Flauschi held the basket ready. Together they took out the clean laundry: two towels, a green jumper and one yellow sock.

Puschel reached into the empty drum once more.

Then he looked inside.

Then he looked at Flauschi.

Puschel“Someone is missing.”

Flauschi“Who?”

Puschel lifted the yellow sock.

Puschel“Its other half.”

He laid it on a towel beside the basket. The sock stayed there. It did not look particularly upset. Puschel did.

Puschel“There were two before. I put them in myself.”

Flauschi“Then let us look together.”

Puschel examined the empty basket. He lifted the towel and looked underneath. Finally he bent towards the washing machine.

Puschel“Hello? Little yellow sock? The ride really is over!”

No answer.

He slowly straightened up.

Puschel“Perhaps it is offended.”

Flauschi looked at him curiously.

Flauschi“What could a sock be offended about?”

Puschel“When I sorted the washing, I said it smelled like cheese.”

For a moment, it was quiet.

Puschel“Perhaps I should at least have said delicious cheese.”

Flauschi pressed her lips together. Even so, she could not quite hide her smile.

Flauschi“Before we apologise to the sock, let us check the other clothes.”

But Puschel had already picked up the single sock. He carefully stood it in front of the machine. It flopped over.

He stood it up again.

It flopped over again.

Puschel“It looks quite downhearted too.”

Flauschi“Socks rarely stand very upright.”

Puschel now held the sock up himself and leaned towards it.

Puschel“Call for it. It knows you better!”

Flauschi giggled softly.

Flauschi“And how does a sock call?”

Puschel thought.

Then he whispered very solemnly:

Puschel“Little sock?”

The sock did not answer. No little sock came out of the machine either.

Meanwhile Flauschi took the green jumper from the basket. She spread it out and gently felt along its sleeves.

One felt unusually thick at the end.

Flauschi“Puschel, I think your jumper has brought something along.”

Puschel turned around at once.

Puschel“A letter of apology?”

Flauschi“More like a stowaway.”

She held the sleeve above the basket and shook it very gently.

Something yellow slid towards the cuff.

Puschel opened his eyes wide.

Puschel“It has disguised itself as a jumper!”

Flauschi gently pulled out the sock and laid it beside the first one. Two yellow socks. Exactly the same size. Both freshly washed.

Flauschi“It was just on a sleeve excursion.”

Puschel examined the reunited socks.

Then he peered into the empty sleeve.

Puschel“Was it comfortable, at least?”

Flauschi held up the jumper.

Flauschi“A little snug. But with its own exit.”

Now Puschel laughed too. He took a sock in each paw and let their toes touch.

Puschel“There you both are. Please travel together in future.”

Flauschi put the jumper back in the basket.

Flauschi“Small pieces of laundry can hide inside bigger ones during a wash. That is why we check everything again before hanging it up.”

Puschel nodded seriously. Then he held the two socks before his face.

Puschel“And about that cheese business …”

He paused for a moment.

Puschel“That was before the wash.”

Together they gathered the rest of the laundry. Finally Puschel laid both socks side by side on top of the jumper.

Flauschi was about to take the basket, but Puschel raised a paw once more.

Puschel“Wait. I am counting.”

He pointed at the first sock.

Puschel“One.”

Then at the second.

Puschel“Another one.”

Flauschi nodded.

Flauschi“Two together.”

Puschel beamed.

Puschel“Then we are all here. Two Wusels, two socks, two towels and a jumper with travel experience.”