Puschel and the Laundry Guard

Puschel was collecting the used towels in the bathroom. His little teddy sat on his arm. He had brought him from the bedroom, because a little company never hurt when gathering laundry.

He stopped beside the round laundry hamper on the left. He lifted the lid and sat Teddy on the soft towels.

Puschel“You look after the washing. I will just fetch the big towel.”

Teddy sat very neatly.

Puschel“Exactly. Just stay sitting. You are especially good at that.”

Puschel fetched the towel from its hook. As he put it in the hamper, Teddy slowly tipped sideways and slipped between the soft things. One little paw remained visible for just a moment.

Puschel gently tucked the fluffy towel inside and closed the lid.

Puschel“Finished!”

Then he held out his arm to take Teddy back. His arm was empty. Puschel looked at it. Then at the other one.

Puschel“Wait a moment. Someone was sitting here just now.”

Flauschi came into the bathroom carrying her open basket.

Flauschi“Who are you looking for?”

Puschel“Teddy. Small, soft and usually a little sleepy.”

He looked behind him.

Puschel“Apparently very fast today, too.”

Flauschi put her basket down.

Flauschi“Where did you last see him?”

Puschel put a paw to his chin.

Puschel“With me.”

Flauschi“And after that?”

Puschel thought even harder.

Puschel“No longer with me.”

Flauschi smiled.

Flauschi“Then let us retrace your steps.”

But Puschel was already hurrying into the kitchen and opening the fridge. He leaned forward and looked carefully between the food.

Puschel“Teddy?”

Flauschi had followed him. She stood in the kitchen doorway, looked across at him in surprise and simply shook her head. Puschel looked behind the cheese once more.

Puschel“He could have been there. Perhaps he was hungry.”

He closed the fridge. Together they went back to the bathroom. Next, Puschel lifted a corner of the leaf-patterned rug.

Flauschi“Your teddy is not that flat.”

Puschel“True. He had a proper cuddle only yesterday.”

Flauschi sat down beside him.

Flauschi“What were you doing before you missed him?”

Puschel“Collecting the towels.”

Flauschi“And Teddy?”

Puschel“He was there. He even had a job.”

Flauschi raised her ears curiously.

Flauschi“What job?”

Puschel jumped up.

Puschel“Laundry guard!”

They both looked at the round hamper on the left. Its lid was not quite straight. A little brown ear poked out beneath the edge. Flauschi pointed to it.

Flauschi“I think your guard is still on duty.”

Puschel lifted the lid. Teddy sat between the towels. A soft towel corner lay across his tummy, as if he had tucked himself in. Puschel's face lit up.

Puschel“There you are! I have been looking everywhere for you!”

Flauschi moved the top towel aside a little. Puschel lifted Teddy out and hugged him.

Flauschi“He slipped under the towel when you put it in.”

Puschel looked at Teddy thoughtfully.

Puschel“You were supposed to look after the washing. Not underneath it.”

He gently smoothed the little ear.

Puschel“Was it comfortable, at least?”

Teddy said nothing. Puschel nodded knowingly.

Puschel“Yes. That is what I thought.”

Flauschi fetched a fresh, dry towel and laid it on the floor beside the hamper. Puschel sat Teddy on it with his back against the wall.

Flauschi“He can watch us from here. And you can see him.”

Puschel adjusted Teddy's seat just a little.

Puschel“New workplace. Much better view.”

Then they opened the hamper together. This time Puschel looked beneath every towel. Flauschi smiled.

Flauschi“Are you looking for someone else?”

Puschel picked Teddy up again.

Puschel“You never know. Perhaps he has a colleague.”