The Wobbling Perch

I hopped onto the wide bottom step of the porch, where three small, striped ornamental gourds sat sunning in a neat row. Pausing to study their crooked necks and knobby rinds, I decided to test whether they could make a dependable vantage point. I carefully planted my claws onto the ridged crown of the roundest yellow gourd. The smooth shell rolled under my weight, tilting sideways. Spreading my wings just enough to catch the crisp morning air, I shifted my stance, digging my talons firmly into the curved grooves until the gourd wedged securely against the step riser. Standing tall atop the rolling prize, I held my footing without slipping.