Vacation at Hotel Sonnenquell
Firlefanz wants to go on vacation! High in the mountains, between rushing rivers, awaits Hotel Sonnenquell — with a warm pool, a huge playground, and food fresh from the garden. Together with Papalapapp, he sets off on the long journey.
Firlefanz woke up and stretched happily. A warm sunbeam tickled his nose through the window. "What a beautiful day," yawned Firlefanz and smiled. "Today I want to go on vacation!"
At breakfast, Firlefanz nibbled on a ripe, juicy pear and wondered where the journey should go. He had heard about a very special hotel high in the mountains. It was called Hotel Sonnenquell, and it was said to live entirely on sunshine and river water — with a warm pool, a large playground, and food fresh from the garden.
Firlefanz ran over to Papalapapp. He was sitting comfortably in front of his little house, drinking his morning coffee. "Papalapapp, do you know Hotel Sonnenquell?" Papalapapp put down his cup and smiled. "Oh yes! It is far away, between high mountains and sparkling rivers. A long way — but beautiful." He stood up. "Come, I will pack my things. Vacation will do us both good."
Firlefanz got ready for the big journey. He put on his hiking hat, slipped into his sturdy boots, and wore his warm jacket. He also took his walking stick with him. He packed his colorful swimming ring into the backpack — for the pool. "We will definitely need this," he said, beaming from ear to ear.
And then the two of them set off. Over seven seas, seven deserts, seven high mountains, seven rivers, seven forests, and seven green valleys. It was a long way. But the further they went, the fresher the air became, and the more beautifully the streams babbled beside the path.
Finally, they saw it: Hotel Sonnenquell nestled against a green mountainside, surrounded by foaming rivers. Colorful flowers grew on the roof, a large water wheel turned slowly, and shiny sun mirrors caught the light. "Welcome, dear ones!" called a friendly marmot wearing a little apron. "I am Murmeli. Come in and make yourselves comfortable!"
Murmeli proudly led the two through the house. "Here, the sun helps to warm the water," explained the marmot. "The water wheel provides our light, and the garden gives us berries, vegetables, and honey. Nothing is wasted." Firlefanz was amazed. Outside, the bees buzzed busily, and birds chirped above the roof.
Outside waited the biggest playground Firlefanz had ever seen: swings, a long slide, and a treehouse high up in a fir tree. There he met Pina, a little otter who was also on vacation. "Will you play with me?" asked Pina. And off they went, laughing down the slide.
After that, they went to the pool. The water was wonderfully warm because the sun had warmed it all day. Firlefanz splashed with his colorful swimming ring, Pina did funny somersaults underwater, and Papalapapp swam leisurely in circles.
In the afternoon, they tried everything: They paddled in a small boat across the calm river, climbed on a gentle rock wall, and played ball on the green meadow. "There is no boredom here at all!" laughed Firlefanz, and Pina rolled around in joy in the soft grass.
In the evening, Murmeli set a long table in the middle of the garden. There was steaming soup, fresh bread, sweet berries, and warm apple pie — all from the garden. Little lanterns glowed warmly, and over the mountains, the sky slowly turned pink and golden.
Full and happy, Firlefanz snuggled into a soft bed by the open window. Outside, the river softly babbled, like a gentle lullaby. "Tomorrow we will go home again," whispered Papalapapp and tucked him in. "But we will visit Pina again very soon." Firlefanz smiled and yawned deeply. And as the stars began to twinkle above Hotel Sonnenquell, he happily fell asleep.