The Gutter Prize

I waddled and bounced my way out past the front door sill and down the stone stoop steps to the sidewalk! *Gasp!* Right along the curb was a deep iron storm drain grating sunken into the asphalt. Down between the cool black bars, a crumpled paper wrapper held a half-broken peppermint drop. *SQUAWK!* I immediately flopped belly-first onto the cold metal and thrust my tongue straight down through the slot. *Thwip!* My tongue tip stuck hard to the sugary mint. But when I yanked, it wedged against the iron bar! *GRRR-EAAK!* With one fierce sideways flick, I popped it loose and slurped it in, crunching with pure satisfaction.