A Gentle Rain Gauge

Hearing the soft patter of light rain tapping the glass, I stepped toward the deep wooden sill of the window alcove. Resting right beside the pane was a wide, glazed ceramic teacup, left dry and clean from yesterday. I climbed up onto the saucer, gripped the curved porcelain rim with both hands, and peeked over. Inside, tiny ripples caught the diffuse morning light as a few stray droplets dripped from the exterior latch into the cup. Standing quietly on the glazed rim, I used my small boxwood ruler to measure the puddle—precisely two millimeters deep. It made a remarkably orderly miniature reservoir.