The First Day of Kindergarten
Firlefanz is more excited than ever — today is his first day in kindergarten! What will he experience there, and who will he meet?
Firlefanz woke up and blinked. A tingle ran through his belly — a special, exciting tingle. Today was his first day in kindergarten! No more crawling group — real kindergarten! He jumped out of bed and bounced around the room.
At breakfast, Firlefanz ate bread with strawberry jam and drank warm oat tea. He imagined what kindergarten might look like. Maybe there was a building corner? Or colors for painting? Or other children who were as adventurous as he was?
Firlefanz ran to Papalapapp. He was standing in the kitchen, drinking his morning coffee — with such a big smile that his eyes almost disappeared. "Today is your big day, Firlefanz!" shouted Papalapapp. "I will accompany you. But first — dress nicely, the way is long!" And he set his cup down.
Firlefanz put on his blue backpack, tied his colorful boots, slipped into his warm jacket, and wrapped his striped favorite scarf around his chin. He stood in front of the mirror. "I look like someone who has something big planned today," he said, nodding seriously at himself.
They set off. Over seven alleys and seven bridges, through seven rustling leafy forests and over seven gentle hills, along seven babbling brooks and past seven colorful marketplaces. Firlefanz held Papalapapp's hand tightly and looked at everything with wide eyes. Every step felt big.
Then they saw it: The kindergarten house stood at the end of a long linden avenue — painted in bright colors, with a big garden full of swings, a sandbox, and a red climbing tower. In front of the entrance, other children with backpacks were already waiting. Firlefanz paused for a moment. The tingle in his belly grew very big.
"What if they don't like me?" Firlefanz whispered softly. Papalapapp knelt down and looked at him. "You are Firlefanz. Once they get to know you, they will like you very much." He gave him a long, warm hug. "I will pick you up again at noon. Promise."
A kindergarten teacher with a yellow braid and a heart on her apron came running out. "Welcome, Firlefanz! I am Mrs. Flower. We have been waiting for you!" Then someone tugged at his scarf. A small creature with round eyes and an orange hat looked at him. "I am Finja. Do you want to build with me today?"
Firlefanz and Finja built a tower out of wooden blocks in the building corner — higher and higher, wobblier and wobblier, braver and braver. When it finally toppled over and all the blocks clattered to the floor, Firlefanz and Finja laughed so loudly that the other children came over and laughed along. Then they all built together from the start.
They sang songs in a circle, painted pictures with thick brushes, and glued golden stars made of shiny paper. At lunchtime, everyone sat at a long table. There was tomato soup with bread. Firlefanz noticed: the tingle in his belly was gone. Instead, everything felt warm and calm.
When Papalapapp appeared at the door at noon, Firlefanz waved once more to Finja. "See you tomorrow!" he called. Finja waved back and shouted: "Tomorrow we will build an even bigger tower!" Firlefanz laughed. "Yes! A huge one!"
On the way home, Firlefanz told Papalapapp all about it: the tower, Finja, the golden stars, Mrs. Flower, and the tomato soup. Papalapapp listened and smiled. As the little house came into view, Firlefanz yawned softly. He climbed onto Papalapapp's back and closed his eyes. This was his best day ever — and tomorrow he could come back.