The Cuckoo's Little Door

The little door on Grandma's clock came off and stayed in Alice's hand. The cuckoo cannot come out now. Saying it is scary — what if there is telling off. And the clock is about to strike.

The little door on Grandma's cuckoo clock came off all by itself, right in Alice's hands. Alice puts it on the shelf — maybe nobody will see. But the door stands crooked and tips over, and the clock stays silent: the cuckoo cannot come out. Grandma hums in the kitchen and knows nothing. Three o'clock comes, the clock only clicks, and Grandma turns her head. Alice goes to the room, sits on the floor and hugs both knees. Saying it is scary. But Alice gets up, walks the hallway to the kitchen and holds the little door out on one palm: "Grandma, I broke the door." Grandma puts down her cup, crouches and takes Alice by the hand. Then they go to the clock together, get the glue and mend the door. At four the cuckoo comes out and calls four times.