A Fallen Leaf

A tiny green shadow swayed near the edge of the rug... so I crept over very slowly. Under the tall pot, a dry, papery brown leaf was resting on the floorboards. I waited two quiet breaths. It did not stir. Inching closer, I nudged it with the round tip of my flipper. It made a crisp, soft scrape against the wood and spun just a tiny circle. I gently nudged it once more until it tucked neatly against the curved terracotta base. It looked safe there, resting beside the dark soil.