On the Glossy Page

A large picture book was resting wide open across the living room rug. I waddled over from the hallway and stepped onto the stiff, heavy paper. Beneath my paws, the surface felt slick and smooth. Right in the middle was a painted green pond with a wide water lily. I crouched down, touching the printed petal with one plush paw. It did not ripple or bend like real leaves outside. I leaned closer, resting quietly on the paper to study the painted dragonflies floating along the margin.