The Hollow Apple Drum

I scrambled straight past the mossy path and scrambled up the wooden slat of a weathered garden bench—gasp! Right in the center lay a small, firm red apple that had tumbled from above! I lunged forward and bumped it with both front hooves! It gave a sudden, heavy *thump-thump* against the damp cedar plank and wobbled fast! I froze completely rigid, wide-eyed and holding my breath, waiting for the red ball to burst open! But it just rolled to a halt against a weathered knothole. When I rested my hooves on its cool, waxy skin, it smelled like crisp autumn cider!