Firlefanz and the Moon
The moon shines every night — but has anyone ever visited it? Firlefanz sets off on a journey to meet the moon!
Firlefanz woke up and looked out the window. The sky was already bright and pink — but there was still something up there. Round and silver and very still. The moon! It was still there, right in the morning. Firlefanz blinked. "Hello, moon," he whispered. "Do you never sleep?" And in that moment, Firlefanz wondered: What would it be like to visit the moon?
In the kitchen, Firlefanz ate an oat roll with honey and drank a warm cup of cocoa. He kept looking out the window. The moon was still there. It floated quietly in the morning sky, as if it were waiting for someone. Maybe it was waiting for Firlefanz.
Firlefanz ran to Papalapapp. He was sitting on the porch, drinking his morning coffee. "Papalapapp, how does one get to the moon?" Papalapapp smiled. "At the end of the world, the sky touches the earth. You can just climb up there — if you really want to." He stood up. "I'll come with you."
Firlefanz got dressed for the journey: the green hat, the sturdy boots, and the warm jacket. Of course, he took his walking stick with him. "Pack some stars in case it gets dark," said Papalapapp, winking. Firlefanz laughed. He put a few glittering stones in his pocket — they were almost as good as real stars.
They set off. Over seven seas, where the moonlight still slept in the waves. Over seven deserts, where the sand shimmered silver in the morning. Over seven tall mountains, seven rivers, seven forests, and seven wide plains. The further they went, the quieter it became around them — and the brighter the moon shone before them in the sky.
Then they stood at the end of the world. Before them was nothing — just sky, very close, soft and dark blue. "Here it is," said Papalapapp softly. The sky shimmered. When Firlefanz reached out his hand, it felt as light as breath. Together they climbed up, step by step — as if invisible steps were carrying them.
When they arrived at the top, they landed gently on the moon. It was big and round and shone from within, silver and warm at the same time. The ground was soft like moon dust, and everywhere there were small crystals that tinkled softly when the moon wind touched them. It was beautiful — and very, very quiet.
Then they heard a soft humming. From a crater emerged a gentle figure — round and glowing, with big silver eyes. "Hello," she said softly. "My name is Luna. You are the first ones to visit me." Firlefanz smiled. "I am Firlefanz. And this is Papalapapp. We wanted to meet you."
Luna told them that she shines every night over all the villages, forests, and seas. She sees sleeping children, dreaming animals, quiet lakes. "Everyone looks up at me," said Luna softly. "But no one has ever visited me. I thought I was too far away for friendship." Firlefanz shook his head. "No one is too far away for friendship."
They spent the whole day together. Luna showed them her favorite craters and the places from where one could see the earth — blue and glowing like a ball. Papalapapp ate a moon cookie that tasted like star dust. Firlefanz told Luna about his village and all his adventures. Luna listened and shone brighter and brighter.
When it was time to go, Luna took Firlefanz's little paw in her glowing hands. "Every night, when you look out the window, I will shine a little extra for you. So you know: I am still here. And I am thinking of you." Firlefanz smiled. "And I will wave to you every night. I promise."
They walked home quietly, over seven plains, seven forests, seven rivers, seven mountains, seven deserts, and seven seas. When Firlefanz lay in his warm bed, he looked out the window. There shone the moon — brighter than ever before. Firlefanz waved. The moon shone a little bit more. Then Firlefanz fell asleep, and Luna watched over him all night.