A Tiny Ripple

I followed the sloping cobblestone alley down into the quiet park, my shoes tapping softly on the cool slate. Beside an old stone basin, the water sat still like a pale mirror. I paused, tilting my head, and stepped onto the wide rim. A slender dry twig was resting near my shoe. Carefully, using both hands, I dipped the wooden tip into the surface. Tiny silver ripples circled outward, bumping into a floating yellow leaf. When the leaf wobbled and began to glide gently toward the sunlight, I held my breath... watching it sail all the way to the other side.