A Gentle Ripple

I nudged open the lightweight screen door and wobbled out onto the warm balcony tiles. Near the potted fern, someone had left a shallow terracotta saucer filled with clean water. I paused, resting my round plush side against the warm earthen rim. A light breeze stirred, and I watched tiny concentric ripples spread peacefully across the clear surface, catching glints of late morning sun. When a stray dry leaf drifted in and floated softly like a little raft, I leaned close to admire how gracefully it swirled in place.