Wendelin Water flea

In a dense Tyrolean mountain forest, hidden between mighty old larch trees, lay a small pond. The forest animals knew it well, as they always met there to drink.

After a cold and wet week, the sun finally came out one fine day. The drops on the pine trees sparkled like countless gems. Happy children played near the pond.

Then the doe Ricarda stepped to the bank and took a big gulp of water. Just as she opened her mouth again, someone shrieked in terror, as if their life were at stake. „Help, help! Don't swallow me. Please let me out," someone cried. As if from thin air, a boy appeared on the bank and ordered the doe Ricarda, „Spit the water out immediately, because you almost swallowed my friend Wendelin, who lives in this pond. If you look closely into the water, you will see him." Together they bent down and saw tiny shimmering creatures, illuminated by sunbeams, hopping about. „One of them is my friend Wendelin water flea," the boy explained proudly.

Suddenly they heard the flapping of wings, felt a gust of wind, and Raven Roxy landed in front of them. „Well, are you watching Wendelin?" he asked. „Do you know him well? I've never heard of him before," asked the doe Ricarda. Then the boy called out excitedly, „Those are small crustaceans, with antennae on their heads and many legs on their bellies, that mostly live in fresh water and eat algae. I know this because I often fish in this pond when I'm on vacation here with my parents. That's how I found Wendelin and even looked at him with a magnifying glass. By the way, I'm Malte from Berlin."

„Hello, Malte, thanks for saving me," shouted Wendelin from the pond. „I'm sorry, it was no harm intended," apologized the deer. „Come over to the meadow with us," called the three. „Unfortunately, I can only live in water and therefore cannot come along," replied the water flea wistfully. Then Roxy croaked loudly: „I sometimes help an old wise herb witch, and she taught me a magic spell. Shall we try it out right away, maybe then Wendelin can live outside of water." Everyone agreed enthusiastically at once.

„One, two, three, the magic begins. It will soon happen in the Tyrolean forest. Four, five, six, so says the old witch, seven, eight, that would be a laugh, nine and ten, Wendelin can go ashore!" said the old witch, seven, eight, that would be a laugh, nine and ten, Wendelin can go ashore!"

Suddenly the air began to tremble, and in an instant Wendelin sat, overjoyed, in the grass. „Be careful," warned the raven, „you only have 2 hours, then the spell will lose its effect."

Hopping and jumping excitedly, everyone quickly moved away from the shore to discover as much new as possible in the nearby forest.