A Hollow Stem Chime

I walked down the sunny avenue until I slipped through the open wooden gate of the shade house. The cool, damp air felt refreshing after the walk. On a weathered cedar display bench, a thick, hollow section of dry bamboo cane was resting across two empty clay saucers. Nearby lay a small, smooth white river pebble. Pausing to measure my balance on the damp wood... I leaned forward with both of my flipper sleeves. With steady persistence, I nudged the rounded pebble up the slight slope of the board. It reached the opening and rolled cleanly inside. A deep, resonant wooden rattle hummed through the cane... echoing softly into the lush ferns. I held very still, letting the soothing tone fade into the quiet.