Puschel and the Perfect Photo

Puschel suddenly stopped in the Wusel shop. Between the shelves stood a little wooden photo booth. A camera symbol decorated the top, and a cosy bench waited behind a red curtain.

Puschel“Flauschi! We can have our photo taken in there!”

Flauschi pulled the curtain aside.

Flauschi“Four photos, actually. Look, it says so here.”

Puschel had already slipped inside.

Puschel“Then we have to look especially handsome four times.”

They sat side by side on the teal bench. Flauschi pressed the start button and settled back beside him.

A three appeared on the screen. Puschel sat up straight. A two. He placed his paws neatly on his knees and raised his shoulders. A one. Now he pressed his lips into such a broad smile that his cheeks puffed right out.

Flauschi glanced at him.

Flauschi“You can still breathe, you know.”

Puschel drew a startled breath. Flash! His eyes were round as marbles and his mouth hung open.

Puschel“Wait! I hadn't finished looking handsome!”

The next three had already appeared. Puschel leaned forward to examine the little camera window.

Puschel“How does it know when I'm ready?”

He moved a little closer.

Puschel“Hello?”

Flash! Flauschi clapped a paw over her mouth.

Flauschi“Well, it certainly knows your nose now.”

Puschel blinked.

Puschel“Has it taken another one already?”

Flauschi nodded and gently rested a paw on his shoulder.

Flauschi“Come back here. It takes all four photos one after another.”

Puschel hurried back into place. As he did, the tip of his bushy tail slipped beneath his bottom. He gave a little jump.

Puschel“Oops!”

Flash! His feet hovered above the cushion for a tiny moment. Flauschi could no longer hold back her giggles.

Puschel“It took a photo of my jump!”

Flauschi“And of me laughing.”

Puschel landed back on the bench and carefully tucked his tail beside him. He looked at Flauschi. Her eyes sparkled and her shoulders were still shaking a little. He couldn't help grinning too.

The last three appeared on the screen. Flauschi snuggled closer.

Flauschi“Let's just do the last one together.”

A two. Puschel leaned his head against hers. A one.

Puschel“Will my whole nose fit in this time?”

Now they both burst out laughing. Flash!

A moment later the booth began to whirr. Puschel hopped off the bench, pulled the curtain aside and waited by the printing slot. A white strip of paper slowly appeared. He carefully took it out.

Flauschi stood beside him. Together they looked at the four pictures. In the first, Puschel's mouth was wide open, as though someone had just asked him a very surprising question. In the second, his nose was enormous, with Flauschi peeking out behind it. In the third, he was hopping above the bench while Flauschi held a paw to her mouth in laughter. And in the last, they were leaning against each other, laughing.

Puschel studied the strip again from top to bottom.

Puschel“I really did look handsome in four different ways.”

Flauschi giggled.

Flauschi“The last one's my favourite.”

Puschel nodded. Then he carefully pointed beside the picture of his big nose.

Puschel“Let's give Teddy the one with my nose.”

Flauschi“Why that one?”

Puschel“That's how he sees me every evening when I give him a goodnight kiss.”