A Tiny Green Visitor

The sliding glass door stood open just a crack. I slipped through the narrow gap and stepped onto the cool balcony tiles. In the shadow of a terracotta pot, a tiny green caterpillar was inching slowly across a fallen dry leaf. I crouched down very softly, tucking my long ears behind me so they wouldn't rustle. I didn't touch it. I just rested my chin on my front paws, watching its tiny back curl and stretch, completely quiet together in the afternoon shade.