A Leaf Boat

I trotted out through the garden gate toward the open park meadow. Down beside the roots of a tall maple tree, a broad puddle mirror caught patches of blue sky. On the muddy bank lay a large, dried brown maple leaf curled like a small canoe. I paused, tilting my head to inspect its hollow scoop. With a steady push of my nose, I slid the leaf across the wet mud until its curled tip dipped right onto the water's surface. It floated! Taking a careful step forward, I nudged it out toward the center, watching it drift gently across the quiet pool.