This volume brings together hair-raising travel tales, absurd lies, and tragicomic love stories that Erich Kästner wrote between the early 1920s and the post-war period. Many of these stories were published only in newspapers and are now available in book form for the first time. It becomes clear that the narrative form was a playground for Kästner, which he navigated with great entertainment value. In doing so, a previously unknown Kästner emerges, experimenting with new storytelling techniques, striking surprising tones, and displaying an unexpected exuberance that makes reading a true adventure. Thus, this book serves both as a glimpse into the writing laboratory and as a festive reading experience filled with unforgettable characters and astonishing stories. Selected, edited, and accompanied by an afterword by Kästner expert Sven Hanuschek.