The Spinning Brass Wheel

I pushed past the loose screen flap, trotting out across the sun-warmed deck boards! Down by the house wall sat the outdoor brass faucet with a big round spigot wheel staring right at me. Oho, a metal merry-go-round! Stealth scramble—one, two, hup! I leaped up, hooked both stubby arms around the cool ridged spokes, and kicked my legs with all my might. Squeeeeak-creak! The stiff valve budged half an inch, spinning me like a tiny gymnast before my stubby hands slipped. Plop! I tumbled rear-first right onto a flat, sunbaked paving stone, giggling as the shiny wheel settled back into silence. Haha, what a stubborn brass ride!