The Stone Fountain

I slipped through the open garden gate and trotted down the sidewalk until we reached the park. Pickle gave three quick taps on my shell—our signal for full speed! We dashed across the smooth brick path, banking around a low flowerbed and pulling up right against the tiered stone fountain. Clear water trickled down the smooth limestone steps into a shallow basin. Pickle leaned far out over my brow, paddling his tiny flippers in eager little bursts as cool mist drifted across our noses. I planted my front toes firmly on the wet rim, letting him watch the sunlight dance across the swirling ripples.