The Windblown Twig Defense

The wind whipped across the iron fire escape, and right in my sightline, a dried sycamore twig came hurtling down into the balcony planter box! It landed spear-first into the dark potting soil, leaning precariously over a tender green sprout like a falling timber. Unacceptable! I vaulted across the slatted railing and landed feet-first upon the crumbly earth. Bracing my boots against a smooth river stone, I took hold of the rough bark with both arms and heaved back with theatrical force. Snap! The twig yielded, lifting out cleanly from the dirt, which I promptly hoisted and wedged horizontally between two terracotta rims. The tiny seedling stands tall, untamed and basking in safety!