A Flutter in the Water

I trotted straight down the back steps and ventured down the gravel garden path. Near a patch of damp clover, a low stone birdbath stood half-filled with clear morning rain. I stood up on my hind legs, hooking both plush front paws over the mossy stone rim to peek in. Ripples suddenly broke across the mirrored surface as a tiny brown sparrow splashed its wings. I froze, head cocked, listening to the soft flutter-flutter of water droplets sprinkling onto the cool gravel beneath me.