The Curious Hollow Brick

I followed the stone paving stones further down the alleyway until I reached the library courtyard. Tucked against the damp red brick foundation, a single hollow terracotta building brick was resting flat on its side. I paused three careful steps away, tilting my head to inspect the dark, rectangular openings. Nothing stirred. Clicking forward on my jointed legs, I stretched out one front paw and tapped the coarse edge. It gave a dry, gritty scrape against my smooth plastic pad. Peering into the shaded chamber, I found a dry, papery brown sycamore pod resting inside like a secret treasure, perfectly sheltered from the noon glare.