The Floating Wooden Ladle

A cool trickling sound pulled me away from the stone bench over to the granite water purification basin! Resting straight across the thick stone rim was a long-handled bamboo water ladle, floating lightly on the crystal-clear water. Naturally, I couldn't resist! I scrambled up the rough, mossy granite wall, balanced on my bare toes along the edge, and took a daring leap right onto the hollow wooden scoop. Sploosh! The scoop bobbed deep under my weight, splashing cold droplets onto my chest before popping right back to the surface like a rowboat. I threw both arms wide, grinning wildly as I floated right in the middle of the sacred pool!