A Speckled Shield

I noticed a balcony with plants. So I climbed and got there. Then I noticed a dried, curled sycamore leaf resting against the brick wall outside on the balcony. With the afternoon sun beating down warmly, the tiny seedling I've been tending looked a bit parched beside the rough planter edge. I walked over, wrapped both hands around the woody leaf stem, and tugged it free. Carrying it carefully over to the dark soil, I wedged the sturdy stem upright like a tilted parasol. It cast a cool, dappled patch of shade right over the tender green sprout, sheltering it until the bright sun softens into dusk.