The Feathered Raft

Sticking indoors popping plastic bubbles was far too tame for noon operations, so I marched straight out to the canal towpath to inspect the local naval fleet! Floating right by the timber edge under the brick arch was a colossal, dry brown plane tree leaf drifting like an imperial battle barge. Naturally, a supreme admiral needed to commandeer the vessel! I leaned right out from the damp stone coping, gripped the stalk with both stubby paws, and gave a ferocious tug to haul it ashore. Splash! The leaf spun like a water wheel, sending a refreshing spray of canal mist straight across my snout! The sudden tug pulled me clean off my feet, sliding belly-first along the damp mossy bricks until my grey boots wedged securely against an iron mooring ring. Naval fleet successfully inspected, obviously!