Puschel and the Chilliest Research Mission

Puschel opened the fridge to fetch a piece of cheese. The light came on. He stood with one paw on the handle and looked up at the little lamp.

Puschel“Tell me … do you still shine when I close the door?”

The lamp shone. It did not answer. Puschel pushed the door a little closer and peered through the gap.

Puschel“I can still see you!”

He made the gap smaller. Smaller still. Then the door was closed. Puschel blinked at the closed door.

Puschel“Now I cannot see anything. This is a very difficult fridge.”

Flauschi came into the kitchen. Puschel opened the door again and pointed to the lamp.

Flauschi“Are you looking for your cheese?”

Puschel“No. An answer. It always hides when I close the door.”

He tried again. Nose at the gap, door a little closer, head tilted. As soon as he could no longer see, he opened it again.

Puschel“We need someone to check from the inside.”

Then Puschel got that particular look. The look that usually made Flauschi start smiling.

Puschel“Teddy!”

He closed the fridge and fetched his little stuffed teddy. He also found a tiny yellow jacket, a teal bobble hat and a red scarf. Back in the kitchen, he dressed Teddy very carefully.

Puschel“A research mission. But a cold one.”

Flauschi briefly raised a paw. She was about to point out that Teddy could not speak. Then she saw how carefully Puschel adjusted the little scarf. She lowered her paw again and said nothing, smiling.

Puschel“You just have to watch whether the light stays on. Then you can tell me everything.”

Puschel opened the fridge and sat his little stuffed teddy on the clean white plate at the bottom. The cheese sat above him. His hat was a little crooked.

Puschel“If you feel cold, think of a warm blanket. That is what I always do.”

Flauschi watched Puschel close the door gently. He waited one tiny moment. Then he opened it again.

Puschel“Research finished!”

He took Teddy straight out and held him close to his ear.

Puschel“Well? Was it bright?”

Teddy was silent. Puschel tried his other ear.

Puschel“You can whisper. It is a research secret, after all.”

Flauschi tilted her head. Teddy looked as friendly as ever with his little button eyes. Puschel looked back. Then he remembered.

Puschel“Oh. You cannot talk.”

He looked at the jacket, the hat and the carefully wrapped scarf.

Puschel“Very well dressed. Very bad at reporting.”

Now Flauschi had to laugh softly. Puschel grinned too. Together they sat Teddy on the kitchen table.

Flauschi“Come here. I will show you how the door turns off the light.”

She stepped close to the open fridge and pointed to the little door contact on the right, just inside the frame.

Flauschi“When the door closes, it pushes this little button in. Look!”

Flauschi pressed the contact with one paw. The lamp went out. Puschel pricked up his ears.

Puschel“You closed it without closing it!”

Flauschi released the contact. The lamp came on.

Flauschi“Exactly. Door open: light on. Door closed: light off. In our fridge, this contact does the job.”

Puschel nodded slowly. Then he looked at Teddy on the table.

Puschel“Did you hear that? You did not even need a hat.”

Flauschi closed the fridge. Puschel picked Teddy up and hugged him against his soft chest.

Flauschi“And what will you investigate next?”

Puschel stroked the teal hat.

Puschel“Whether it is nice and warm under my cuddly blanket.”

Flauschi“And who will report this time?”

Puschel hugged Teddy a little closer.

Puschel“I will. Teddy is in charge of cuddles.”