A Garden Visitor

I pushed past the patio door screen into the morning air. Underneath the garden bench, a tiny brown sparrow hopped along the flagstones, hunting for crumbs. I stopped at once, tucking my paws close so I would not startle it. The little bird tilted its head, looked right toward me, and flicked its tail feathers twice. It gave a soft, cheerful chirp before pecking at a seed hull between two stones. I stayed very still, watching its quick hops until it fluttered up toward the fence.