The Golden Leaf Rescue

I zipped out front because staying on the porch on a bright morning wasn't in the cards! Down by the concrete sidewalk curb, a huge, crisp golden-orange maple leaf was stuck upright in a crack near a muddy puddle edge, trembling in the breeze. I wasn't about to let that perfect leaf take a dive into dirty water! Trotting straight up to it, I planted my sneakers and gripped the slender brown stem with both hands. I pulled with a sharp yank, popping it free with a soft snap. I held it up like a championship fan, totally triumphant!