A Gentle Floating Leaf

I reached upward from my resting perch, digging my soft paws into the cool stone crevices until I hoisted myself right onto the wide rim of the birdbath bowl. The shallow pool inside was clear and perfectly calm under the afternoon sky. Resting flat on my belly with my paws braced on the damp stone edge, I peeked across the glassy water. A dry, curling brown leaf lay floating in the center. I leaned in close and blew a slow, patient puff across the surface. The little leaf bobbed and drifted gently like a raft coming to port, coasting quietly until its stem tapped against my outstretched paw.