Skips, Sprinklers, and Secrets
Small Moments, Big Meaning, and a Little Bit of Mud
Eddy was lighthearted and rambunctious, without a care in the world. He enjoyed walking, but usually ended up skipping or flat-out running wherever he went. He couldn’t help it. He just couldn’t wait for the next adventure.
One day, he hunted a butterfly with wings of blue edged in black. He stepped in a muddy puddle, which seemed inconvenient at first but became a delight. (Thankfully, the neighbor’s sprinkler was going full-force on his way home, so his family didn’t ask too many questions.)
Other times, he found treasures to brighten his day: once, an abandoned but not-yet-melted popsicle on a seemingly clean patch of sidewalk. He left the chewing gum on the park bench alone. It looked well enjoyed and wasn’t meant for him.
One afternoon, he saw some kids playing on a swing set. Two of them were having fun; one wasn’t. The one who wasn’t was smaller than the others. She was crying. Eddy sauntered over to the little girl to see if he could help. On his way, he heard the others yelling at her.
Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “What is the meaning of life?” he wondered, scratching at the leather collar around his neck. He may have just found his.