When Milla arrives at the kindergarten today, it's still not properly light. It's just after seven o'clock and, as always, she is the first child to arrive. Her mum works as a nurse and has to start early. Milla yawns as she goes to Saskia's group. "Good morning, you little sleepyhead!", the childcare worker greets her. Milla's mum laughs: "Yes, it was a bit later for us yesterday." "But it's still not really light today, so you are allowed to be a little tired," Saskia replies. Milla gives her mum another kiss and waves goodbye.
"Come on, Milla, let's get everything ready for our craft project. We're making lanterns as window decorations." "Oh yes!", calls Milla and she immediately feels a bit more awake. Milla is allowed to carry a box of colourful candles to the craft table. Saskia places a stack of white paper beside it. "How's that meant to work? Candles and paper won't make a lantern, will they?", Milla asks. "Later we'll light a candle and then you'll drip the warm wax carefully onto the paper," Saskia explains. "You can do it one colour at a time. And when the wax has dried and you hold the paper up to the window, you'll see how beautifully it shines." Milla is very excited.
One by one the other children arrive. Milla tells them what Saskia wants to make with them today and everyone is pleased. Only Mali looks downcast and tired. "What's the matter?", Milla asks her. "I dreamed about a scary monster," Mali says. "It hides under my bed and creeps out during the night when it's dark. I know that for sure. My mum had to go to a parents' evening at school yesterday, Dad is away on a business trip and Grandma couldn't come because she has such a cough. That's why my big sister put me to bed. Lena is already nine, she can do that. But of course she didn't see the dream monster." "Did your mum come back quickly then?", Milla asks. "Yes, she did, but the dream monster was still there," Mali answers.
"When my dad moved out, I used to have bad dreams all the time," Milla tells her. "But then he gave me a night light: an owl that glows softly. And since then I know he still loves me very much, even if he doesn't live with us anymore." "Really? A night-light owl? That's lovely!", says Mali. "You know what? Until you have a night light, we could make you a magic lantern," Milla suggests. "The window picture that Saskia is making with us won't glow at night, but maybe it will still help. Shall we start together?", Milla asks. Mali nods and after the breakfast break they get going.
Milla and Mali are really allowed to start. It's very easy, as Saskia said, and when the wax drops have dried the girls only have to cut out a frame for the window picture. Saskia helps them a little with that. Then it's Lilli and Imke's turn. When Matze, Felicitas, Elise and the other older children have finished, they hang the window pictures up together. Immediately they glow in every colour.
Nina painted lantern pictures on dark construction paper with the younger children. Here too the colours shimmer beautifully. Now the two teachers push the chairs together for the circle and the children sit down. "In autumn the days get shorter," Nina explains. "That's because the Earth is tilted in relation to the sun. The area the sun lights in summer is larger than the area it reaches in winter. That's why it is colder in winter than in summer. But today we want to talk about light and about everything that brings brightness. Who has an idea of what you can do on shorter days with longer darkness in the morning and evening?", she asks the children. "You can switch on the light, that's obvious," says Matze. "I like candles so much," says Imke. "We have one on the table and it lights the table when we eat." "That's right. Candles provide a lovely light!", says Nina. "Where are candles lit?"
"At birthdays!", calls Felicitas. She can remember it clearly because she celebrated her 4th birthday a few weeks ago. "There are candles in church and at the cemetery," Mali says. "When we visit my grandad's grave we always light a candle." "Yes, that's a very old tradition. It helps us remember those who have died. Think about which celebration will be held in a few weeks." "Christmas! First there's the Advent wreath with candles and then the Christmas tree!", says Lilli. "And sometimes candles burn in the lanterns at the lantern parade. Or a light shines on the pole! And I even have a magic lantern," says Milla and tells the children about her special night light. "That's a lovely idea," says Nina. "You can see that light has an important meaning for us: a night light gives a sense of security in the dark. We remember those who have died with candles and feel comforted. The lights on the Christmas tree, whether they are real candles or electric, create a particularly festive mood. And at the lantern parade we carry the lights through the streets. For that we will practise our songs again over the next few days," the teacher explains.
When Mali is picked up by her mum, she tugs at Saskia's jumper and asks: "Can I take my window picture home as a magic lantern?" "Do you need a magic lantern?", Saskia asks. Mali nods. "Yes, already for today. And then I wish for a magic-lantern night light like Milla has." Mali is delighted when Saskia gives her the window picture. "You can bring it back for our window when you have a magic-lantern night light. Keep it at home until next week, when our lantern parade takes place, ok?" Mali nods and gives Milla a big hug goodbye. "Tonight you'll probably dream something lovely!", Milla whispers in Mali's ear and is happy that she was able to help her friend.
Anyone who wants can act out the story with the Little Friends dolls.
