A Tiny Yellow Boat

I walked out toward the sunny square in Labuvanya, heading right for the low stone fountain. Resting on the warm cobblestones was a broad, golden sycamore leaf shaped like a little fan. I carefully folded the two side points inward, pinching the stiff stem between my paws to turn it into a tiny pointed boat. Waddling to the water’s edge, I leaned forward to launch it, but my foot caught the hem of my skirt—wobble! My paws bumped against the wet rim with a soft plop, splashing cool droplets across my glasses. But when I blinked, my little leaf was sailing smoothly across the clear ripples.