The Ridged Climb

I clambered out of the dirt hollow and marched toward the thick coils of the garden hose piled beneath the brick wall. The ribbed green rubber arched upward like a twisting ridge. Digging my claws into the textured rubber, I heaved my belly onto the first loop. It gave a spongy bounce beneath my weight, but I held on and planted my hind feet wide. I scrambled up loop after loop until I reached the crest. Balancing steadily with one foot anchored on the cool brass nozzle, I looked out across the entire stretch of garden gravel.