Firlefanz Travels to Africa
Firlefanz wants to fly to Africa and meet the big animals of the savanna — and there he finds new friends in the elephant Tembo, the little Tembi, and the young lion Simba.
Firlefanz woke up one morning and blinked into the light. Outside, the birds were chirping. Suddenly he had a big thought: He wanted to travel to Africa! To where the elephants and lions live. "Today I am flying to Africa!", he shouted.
At breakfast, Firlefanz ate a plate of honey porridge and drank warm milk. He looked out the window and thought about the wide savanna. What would the elephants look like? How big would a lion be? Firlefanz smiled and could hardly wait.
Firlefanz ran quickly to Papalapapp. He was sitting comfortably in front of his door, drinking his morning coffee. "Papalapapp! I want to go to Africa — to the elephants and the lions!" Papalapapp smiled. "A big adventure! We will take the airplane. And of course, I will come with you!"
Together they got ready. Firlefanz put on his sturdy boots, placed the green hat on his head, and took the walking stick. Papalapapp wore his straw hat and packed cheese sandwiches and raspberry lemonade. "Ready?", he asked. "Ready!", shouted Firlefanz.
They flew over seven seas and seven deserts, over seven mountains and seven rivers, through seven clouds and seven rainbows. The airplane hummed like a big, good bee. Firlefanz looked out the window and saw more and more red and yellow land below. Then they landed gently in Africa.
When they stepped out of the airplane, a warm wind blew. The sun shone golden over the wide savanna. Tall yellow grass grew everywhere, and distant mountains glowed on the horizon. And then — there he was. A huge gray elephant stood just a few steps away, slowly swinging his long trunk.
Firlefanz stood very still. The elephant looked at him with deep, friendly eyes. Then he stretched out his trunk and gently nudged Firlefanz on the nose. "He likes you!", whispered Papalapapp. The elephant was named Tembo and had a little daughter named Tembi. Tembi was still very small and also curiously nudged Firlefanz.
Tembi immediately started jumping and ran around Firlefanz. Then she pressed her little trunk into Firlefanz's belly, making him fall over laughing. Tembo watched contentedly. Papalapapp laughed so hard that his straw hat fell off. Firlefanz and Tembi chased each other through the tall grass until they both collapsed, exhausted.
On a small hill, a young lion lay in the sun. He opened one eye and looked at Firlefanz. Then he stood up, stretched — and trotted over curiously. Firlefanz held his breath. But the lion simply lay down next to him and purred softly like a giant cat. His name was Simba, and he wasn't very big yet.
As the sun sank lower and painted the sky orange and purple, Firlefanz, Papalapapp, Tembo, Tembi, and Simba all sat together in the grass. Firlefanz told them about his little village, and everyone listened with wide eyes. "You must come visit us sometime!", said Firlefanz. "I would love to", said Tembi softly.
When the first stars appeared, it was time to leave. Firlefanz hugged Tembi, stroked Simba's mane, and gave Tembo a friendly pat on the trunk. Then they got into the airplane and flew home, over seven rainbows, seven clouds, seven rivers, seven mountains, seven deserts, and seven seas. When Firlefanz reached his bed, he closed his eyes and fell asleep immediately.