Squirrels in
Christmas fever
Fourth Advent at Gut Aiderbichl Wald
For days, the squirrels scurried in all directions behind the chapel in the adjacent forest, preparing the celebration for the 4th of Advent. Actually, the nimble animals are in winter hibernation, but Fridolin, the red squirrel, decided that the squirrels should also create an Advent celebration.
So the enthusiasm among his friends is limited and Fridolin needs a lot of persuasion to change their minds. "You know that Christmas is a time of peace and quiet. People who are looking for peace and quiet come to the forest and bring animals some food. I think we should give people a treat for once. I have thought of a few things that we nimble squirrels can easily do".
Bored, some of the squirrels lie back in their hutch and think to themselves. "Oh no, I want to have my rest!" groans the black squirrel Fred and whispers "I'll do the final check then, good night!". Fridolin looks around indignantly. Actually, he is suddenly standing alone in the enclosure and wonders "where is everyone all of a sudden?".
Fridolin hurries into the adjacent human-animal chapel and looks for useful things. Once inside, he squats down on the bench and thinks. "I need twigs, golden ribbons, pine cones and I need kilometres of fairy lights. The forest should be brightly lit, so brightly that all you hear is "Ah" and "Oh" from people. But where do I get all this stuff? Oh yes, and I need a bubble angel. The bubble angel is supposed to hold a huge trombone. But I won't be able to do that alone, it will be too heavy for me. Bubble angels are not as slim and slender as I am, but a bit chubby. What am I going to do, what am I going to do?"
Together instead of alone
Suddenly, there is rustling all around and Fridolin can't believe his eyes. There are hundreds of squirrels all over the trees in the little forest, even those that do not have their home in the enclosure. Squirrels gurgle when they are happy, and Fridolin is quite moved and gurgles and clicks with joy. "You gave me the most beautiful gift. Thank you, my friends!"
Squirrels form the twig group, the ribbon group, the fairy lights group and the bubble angel group. Back and forth and up and down the small, nimble animals scurry and in no time the forest is decorated. After the work is done, the squirrels gather in the chapel, where they are rewarded for their work with many different nuts, and everyone can take as many as they like.
Only one group is at a loss.
Fridolin recognises the problem. "Where is the trombone of the bubble angel?"
Fred lowered his head and looked up from below with shy little eyes "That's the chubbiest bubble angel far and wide and all of a sudden, when we wanted to tie the angel to the tree, he fell headfirst into the snow and the trumpet broke off."
What now?
A bubble angel with a broken trombone is not acceptable.
Batzi, the stag in the neighbouring enclosure, has the saving idea and says:
"Take the rest of the golden ribbon and tie the broken piece off of the trombone to it, nobody will see that. The angel is hanging so high anyway!"
Said and done.
Fridolin, with the help of many squirrels, has done all the work and sits with a satisfied face in the midst of his friends. All are nibbling their little nuts and are happy. High up in the tree, the bubble angel shines in the light of the miles of fairy lights. On Christmas Eve, the bubble angel then wanders to the animal crib and is happy when everyone will listen to him sing the most beautiful song in the world.
