A Papery Lantern

A dried Chinese lantern pod had tumbled from the border onto the flagstones, resting upright like a tiny orange tent. I knelt down beside its ribbed parchment walls, keeping my breath steady so the breeze wouldn't roll it away. Peering closely through a small split along one seam, I found the treasure held inside: a round, smooth orange berry suspended safely within the hollow cage. I extended one paw and gave the base a gentle, measured nudge. The delicate husk tipped and rolled an inch with a hushed, dry crackle, settling onto its side without crushing a single rib.