Firlefanz and the Glass Beach
On a mystical beach, colorful glass stones shine in the sand. Firlefanz sets off — and meets the special fish Axelotel there!
Firlefanz woke up and looked at the sky. Today the light was somehow different — golden and sparkling, as if the air itself was made of colorful glass. He had dreamed of a beach. Not an ordinary beach — but one where the sea washed colorful glass stones ashore. Green, blue, orange, and pink, all round and smooth. Firlefanz sat up. "I have to go there," he whispered.
At breakfast, Firlefanz ate a honey roll and drank warm milk with cinnamon. He thought about the colorful stones the whole time. What would they feel like? Cool and smooth in his hand? Or warm from the sun? He could hardly wait to find out.
Firlefanz ran to Papalapapp. He was sitting in front of his house, drinking coffee. "Papalapapp, do you know the glass beach? The mystical beach with the colorful glass stones?" Papalapapp smiled and nodded slowly. "Oh yes. It is far, far away — beyond seven seas and much further." He set down his coffee cup. "I will come with you."
Firlefanz got dressed for the journey: the green hat, sturdy boots, the warm jacket, and the walking stick. "Don't forget your bag," said Papalapapp. "For the stones." Firlefanz reached for his little bag made of blue fabric. It was just right for collecting stones.
They set off. Over seven seas, where the waves sparkled like strings of glass beads. Over seven deserts, where the sand shone like golden dust in the sun. Over seven mountains, seven rivers, seven dense forests, and seven wide plains. The further they went, the more the air smelled of salt and something mysterious — sweet and cool at the same time.
Then they heard it: the soft sound of waves. And there it lay before them — the glass beach. The sand was bright like snow, and everywhere in between lay stones — red, green, blue, yellow, purple, and orange. Round and smooth, like little candies made of glass. In the sunlight, they sparkled like gemstones. Firlefanz held his breath. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Firlefanz knelt in the soft sand and began to collect. He picked up a green stone — cool and smooth like a marble. Then a blue one that was almost transparent. Then an orange one that glowed in the sun like a little fire. Papalapapp collected calmly beside him. Stone by stone went into Firlefanz's blue bag.
Suddenly, something splashed in the shallow water. Firlefanz looked over. There, among the stones in the water, lay a little fish. He had shiny scales in all the colors of the rainbow and big, curious eyes. "Hello," said the fish. "My name is Axelotel. I'm glad you like the stones so much." He smiled. "I brought them all here."
"You brought them?" Firlefanz marveled. Axelotel nodded. "I swim through all the seas and collect old glass pieces from the ocean floor. The sea smooths them round and smooth for years — and then I bring them here to the shore." "You give them to everyone who comes by?" "Exactly," said Axelotel cheerfully. "The sea makes them beautiful. I share them further."
Axelotel dove deep and kept bringing new stones to the shore. He knew every stone and exactly which color would make Firlefanz happy next. They spent the whole afternoon together — collecting, telling stories, laughing. Papalapapp built a small tower on the shore from the biggest stones.
As the sun sank lower and the sea turned golden, it was time to go. "Thank you, Axelotel," said Firlefanz softly. "This was the most beautiful day." Axelotel waved with his fin. "Whenever you look at one of my stones, remember: Somewhere in the sea, I swim and think of you, my friend."
They walked home quietly, over seven plains, seven forests, seven rivers, seven mountains, seven deserts, and seven seas. When Firlefanz lay in his bed, he placed his most beautiful stones on the windowsill: one green, one blue, and one orange. In the moonlight, they glowed softly. Firlefanz closed his eyes and thought of Axelotel — somewhere out there in the big sea. Then he fell asleep, peaceful and happy.