Floating Home

She loved the woods. She'd spend hours there after school. Running through the brush, weaving amongst the trees, giggling in the open air. It wasn't like she didn't have friends, but there was just something about being out there, within nature that called her.

Her favorite thing to do though was to make her way down to the pond that lay deep in the woods behind her house and begin building a new home.

Everyday it was the same routine. She'd walk down there, collecting leaves as she went, ready to kneel at the water's edge and begin constructing.

She'd pull the leaves apart. Gently, not wanting to tear them too badly, but small enough that the leaf was in numerous pieces. One by one, she'd lay them out, over the water and on top of one another, building from the center and slowing stretching out. She'd take her time. She was in no rush.

Eventually she'd end up with an almost perfect circle floating in the water, staying still from the lack of current in the pond. From here she'd dream it was her own little island. Her house was always in the middle of it, so she could see all around, as far as the horizon would allow.

It was her special place. She'd live there alone, but allow people to visit. Her family and friends would come and stay over. They'd run to the edge of the island and deep their feet in the water, no care in the world. She loved her little floating island.

When it was time to get back to her real home on the other side of the forest she would stand up and scour the ground for the perfect size rock. When she found it, she'd pick it up and let her fingers run over it, making sure it was smooth to the touch. Satisfied - she'd throw it at her island, breaking the leaves apart - sending them in every direction as they rode the ripples out further into the pond.

After all - it was her island and no one else was allowed on without her.