Firlefanz and Grandpa Opalapapp
Firlefanz's Grandpa Opalapapp comes to visit — from far away, beyond seven seas. Together they go to meet him and experience a day full of stories and hugs.
Firlefanz woke up and felt right away: Today was a very special day. The sun tickled his nose, and his heart did a little happy jump. Because today Grandpa Opalapapp was coming to visit — his grandpa! Opalapapp lived far, far away, beyond seven seas, and only very rarely did he make the long journey. "Today," whispered Firlefanz as he rolled out of bed. "Today Grandpa is coming!"
At breakfast, Firlefanz ate a warm honey roll and drank milk with cinnamon. But he was so excited that he could hardly swallow. What did Opalapapp look like now? Did he still have his soft scarf and his funny walking stick? And what stories would he bring from distant lands? Firlefanz smiled. A whole day with Grandpa lay before him like a wrapped gift.
Quickly, Firlefanz ran over to Papalapapp. He was sitting in front of his house, calmly drinking his morning coffee. "Papalapapp! When is Grandpa coming? Can we go to meet him?" shouted Firlefanz, hopping from one foot to the other. Papalapapp laughed warmly. "Opalapapp has been on his way for days. If we go to meet him, we will surely meet him halfway. Come, get dressed!"
Firlefanz got dressed for the big hike: the green hat, the sturdy boots, the warm jacket, and the walking stick. "And take something to drink with you," said Papalapapp, packing a basket with rolls and a kettle of tea. "For Grandpa, when he is tired from the journey." Firlefanz nodded eagerly.
Then they set off on their way to meet Grandpa. Over seven gentle hills, over seven little bridges, past seven rustling fields. And as they walked, Firlefanz imagined how far Opalapapp had already traveled: over seven seas, seven deserts, and seven mountains, always further, just to see his grandson.
Suddenly, Firlefanz stopped. Far ahead, on the path, a small dot was moving. It grew bigger and bigger. A cozy old dragon with silver-green scales, round glasses on his nose, and a long, soft scarf was slowly coming closer, leaning on his carved walking stick. "GRANDPA!" shouted Firlefanz and ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
Opalapapp spread his arms and caught Firlefanz in a big, warm hug. He smelled of distant forests and home at the same time. "My little Firlefanz," said Grandpa in his gentle, rumbling voice. "How big you have grown!" Papalapapp hugged his father, and all three laughed with joy.
They sat down in the soft grass and took a little break. Opalapapp opened his old travel bag. Inside was something wonderful: a small shell that quietly carried the sound of all seven seas within it. Firlefanz held it to his ear and closed his eyes. "I found this for you at the farthest beach in the world," said Grandpa. Firlefanz beamed with joy.
Together they made their way home. Opalapapp walked in the middle, Firlefanz held one of his hands, and Papalapapp held the other. The whole way, Grandpa told stories of his travels: of singing fish, of mountains made of cotton candy, and of a moon that quietly says goodnight every evening. Firlefanz listened with wide-open eyes.
When they got home, they made themselves comfortable. Papalapapp cooked a steaming soup, and Opalapapp settled into the softest armchair. Firlefanz snuggled up to Grandpa's warm scarf. Outside, it was slowly getting dark, and the first stars twinkled through the window.
In the evening, Opalapapp brought Firlefanz to bed. In a soft voice, he told him about a tiny star that got lost and was lovingly brought home by its friends. Firlefanz's eyes grew heavy. The little shell gently whispered on his nightstand. "Will you stay a little longer, Grandpa?" he murmured. "As long as you want," whispered Opalapapp. And Firlefanz happily fell asleep.