A Gentle Shadow

I rolled slowly across the warm wooden planks, nudged along by a stray dust mote floating in the morning light. Right beside the big potted plant, I discovered a fallen dried leaf shaped like a tiny brown boat. It smelled like dry earth and gentle sun. With a soft nudge of my belly, I nestled right against the coarse rattan base of the pot. The leaf tilted slightly, casting just enough shade to cover my sleepy eyes from the bright glare. It felt like a tiny natural blanket. I let out a slow sigh, snuggled into the cool hollow of the weave, and rested my chin.