A Spiky Hello

I scrambled out of the knitted coaster and marched straight toward the terracotta pot basking under the noon glare! There sat a real, plump succulent with little rosettes. I thought, wow, a tall cousin! I tried to throw my stubby arms around one chunky leaf to say hi, but whoops—my glossy tummy slipped right on the smooth clay rim! Plop! I slid backward and landed smack into a pile of dry potting pebbles. Tee-hee! They clattered around me like tiny maracas! I picked up a smooth, warm white pebble with both hands and rested it right on my lap. We're totally friends now!