A Tiny Second Leaf

I peeked over the wooden planter's edge into the morning light, and stopped dead still. The little pale sprout... had changed overnight. Between its two original green ears, a tiny third leaf had split open, pale and folded like a shy secret. I held my breath for several quiet moments, watching to see if it trembled. Slowly, I reached out with both green paws and lifted the dry wool fluff I tucked around the rim last night, checking that the soil remained damp and warm. Touching the rim softly, I gave the little stem a gentle nod.