'It's rather warm today,' says Paul. He rolls back and forth in his garden looking for a shady spot. 'Today is supposed to be the hottest day of the year,' his friend Kira the cat remarks, glancing at the weather forecast. 'Such a pity the parachuting frog isn't here. We could cool off together in his pond,' she mews. 'Yes, but he has something important to do! He's working with Hugo the dog at the volunteer fire brigade today and helps people in need!' the flying mice say proudly. 'We could have a race in the forest — it will surely be cooler there!' they suggest cheerfully.
Everyone agrees, and off they set racing. On the first stretch it goes downhill and Paul is well in the lead. Later, on the path across the flower meadow that leads to the forest, Kira the cat knows the best shortcuts and becomes the fastest. But in the forest the flying mice are unstoppable; they streak away like the wind and are first to reach the agreed destination, the large, old beech. When Kira arrives last she is quite disappointed.
'I'm the best climber for that — wait, I'll show you!' she calls to her friends before deftly scrambling up the trunk and along the branches. At first the friends are impressed, but soon they lose sight of Kira among the many leaves. 'Don't go any higher!' the flying mice warn. But it's already too late. Right out on a narrow branch Paul and his friends spot Kira, curled up and frightened. 'I don't know how to get down, please help me!' she cries to her friends.
'But how can we help you — we can't climb that big tree!' the flying mice chirp excitedly. 'I've got it — we'll just call the parachuting frog; he's so brave, he can surely help you!' Paul reassures the cat and the flying mice. It doesn't take long before the parachuting frog arrives in the bright red fire engine of the volunteer fire brigade with Hugo the dog and his colleague Frido the firefighter. Wearing a protective suit, helmet, gloves and safety boots he looks different from usual, but they recognise him at once by his mischievous smile.
'Don't worry!' he croaks encouragingly, and calling up to Kira: 'Just sit still — we'll be with you in a moment!' Frido the firefighter winks at him and says, 'We've managed much tougher calls than this!' He skilfully positions the fire engine at the tree and the parachuting frog hops quickly onto the ladder. The friends marvel at how fast Frido extends the aerial ladder. When it reaches Kira's level the parachuting frog helps her onto the ladder and the two are lowered down slowly. Frido wraps her gently in a rescue blanket, gives her something to drink and speaks to her reassuringly.
Relieved and happy, the friends sit together. Suddenly they notice odd things: a little bird darts out chirping loudly from among the trees, a deer runs away in fright and a hedgehog curls up into a ball in the undergrowth. 'Doesn't it smell strange here?' Paul asks. 'Exactly — it definitely smells of smoke!' Frido the firefighter states professionally. Then everyone sees small flames licking from the branches a few trees away. 'We arrived just in time!' says the parachuting frog, grabbing the fire hose without hesitation. 'I'll call for reinforcements at the fire station just in case!' Frido decides. Before long the friends hear the fire engines approaching with loud sirens. A large fire engine arrives first. Firefighter Florian greets his colleagues from the volunteer fire brigade and takes stock of the situation. On his command the brave firefighters surround the flames with powerful jets of water from all sides and manage to put the fire out quickly.
'Phew — we're lucky the fire didn't spread to a larger part of the forest, given the ongoing heat and the increased risk of wildfires,' Frido the firefighter says to Florian. 'Yes — together we brought the fire under control!' 'Hooray, the brave firefighters did it!' the flying mice cheer. 'And you really have great equipment!' Paul calls, rolling about with excitement.
'If you'd like, why not come with us to the station and we'll show you around? And to calm your nerves afterwards we'll treat you to a lovely cup of hot chocolate!' suggests Firefighter Florian. 'Oh yes — we've always wanted to ride in a real fire engine!' the friends cry out together. There's enough room in the appliance for everyone and a few minutes later they are standing in the fire station.
'Our vehicle hall has space for two fire engines!' explains Firefighter Florian. The friends are impressed by the vehicles and the equipment. Paul in particular wants to know everything and rolls into every corner. 'And what's that up on the roof?' asks Kira the cat. 'That's our helipad. From here our helicopter pilot Hannes takes off on his missions and lands here again, just like now!' he says, pointing to a small dot in the sky that grows nearer with a mighty buzzing and skilfully touches down on the landing area in front of the friends' eyes. 'That's loud — a helicopter!' whisper the flying mice. 'Yes, but it's very important when a mission needs to be carried out quickly to save people!' emphasises helicopter pilot Hannes as he steps out.
When all the friends are allowed to put on a firefighter's helmet themselves they immediately feel much braver! Strengthened by the promised hot chocolate they sit for a long time and listen to the exciting stories of the firefighters' missions and successes. They are nevertheless glad the alarm bell doesn't ring again — they'd had enough adventure for one day!
