Watermelon Rhythm

I slipped out past the gate and walked down to the open-air market stall, lured by the sweet scent of autumn produce. Resting near the wooden floorboards was a broad crate loaded with dark striped watermelons. Leaving my guitar resting safely against a sturdy wooden crate post, I crouched down beside the roundest melon. Cupping my hand, I gave the taut green rind a firm, hollow thump with the heel of my palm. A deep, resonant bass note thudded out, vibrating clean through the wooden planks beneath my shoes. I tapped a syncopated three-beat riff along its curved side, grinning at the rich acoustics hidden inside.