A Secret Mountain Passage

You gave me so many wild ideas about volcanoes, skydiving clouds, and colorful birds. Out here tonight, I found my own dramatic adventure. Near the corner of the deck, the round metal fire pit looked just like a dormant black volcano rising in the dark. I didn't jump from any sky, but I trotted swiftly past its cold iron base to make my great escape. Slipping underneath the low shelf of the barbecue, I discovered a dark, sheltered hollow between two stacked charcoal bags. It felt just like stepping into a deep, quiet cave. I lowered my crest, curled my tail tight around my flanks, and let out a soft hoot against the paper sack to listen to the rumble.