A Slender Leaf Moat

I noticed a fallen, dried bay leaf resting right near the terracotta planter. Pausing a moment to be sure the midday breeze had passed, I nudged the mother-of-pearl button toward it with both paws. The smooth shell slid quietly over the stone tile, bumping gently against the leaf's curled stem. With careful, tiny pushes, I steered the button right into the leaf's hollow curve. It rested there like a pale pearl tucked inside a little wooden canoe. Sitting down on the warm tile, I kept both paws lightly touching the curled edge.