Music in the Dry Leaves

I shuffled my feet into a thick drift of copper-colored leaves beneath a massive park tree. After trotting along the sunlit path past the green iron railings, I just could not resist the crisp lawn. Every tiny step I took made a crackling rustle, like the ground was playing its own secret song! I crouched down low, gathered two wide, dried chestnut leaves in my paws, and clapped them gently together. They made a papery little rattle that caused a pigeon nearby to tilt its head in wonder. I giggled softly and tapped out a cheerful beat.