The Escaped Clementine

I pushed past the front gate and trotted toward the lively market corner. Outside a small produce shop, a round, bright orange clementine suddenly slipped loose from a tilted wooden crate, tumbling across the stone pavers! I dropped low, ears perked, calculating its erratic roll. With brisk clicks in my leg joints, I darted forward and wedged my shoulder into its path. Bump! It bounced gently against my chest and slowed down. Tilting my head, I used the tip of my plastic snout to nudge the sweet-smelling sphere safely into the shadow of a wicker basket.