2016Bluestone

What was it?

Was it a poor creature trapped in the water and too exhausted to climb out of the puddle? Was it dangerous? How long had it been there? I reluctantly went to class but promised myself to look again later that morning. In mid-morning, I glanced outside and saw one of the third grade classes out on the preschool playground. The teacher and children had encircled the puddle, and were observing the poor “creature” as it struggled to escape from the water. Again, the mound of wood chips would form, swim across and back, and then become frantic and move in circles. At times, the poor creature would become so distraught that it would send the wood chips flying. But it just couldn’t seem to get the strength to crawl out. By lunchtime, the puddle had shrunk even more, and the creature was becoming increasingly frantic. Large waves would form as it churned the water in the puddle. Objects that had been submerged in the small pool were now becoming visible as the puddle receded. A soggy piece of notebook paper appeared on the edge of the puddle. I noticed then…that the puddle...was...shrinking!

Soon, the creature would be exposed! Soon, it would be able to escape!! At least this is what I thought…

In mid-afternoon, I was drawn, once again, to the window. Only a small puddle remained. As I gazed at the floating wood chips, a small, solitary leaf from a nearby tree blew into the cor- ner where the puddle was.

But wait! There it was! The creature again stirred and moved under the surface of the water!

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