The Crinkly Leaf

A sudden rustle! Freeze! Utterly still... then WHOOSH, I leaped right off the stone ledge! A huge golden sycamore leaf skittered across the crumbly dirt. I poked it with my hoof. Crunch! Fascinating sound! Then I leaned down and gave the brittle stalk a curious lick—dry, papery, and completely thrilling. The wind gave a sharp tug, so I bolted two sideways bounds across the gravel just to catch it under my toe again!