The Last Leaf

Nineave stepped lightly through the knotted roots of the Mangroves. Two days ago she had become lost in the mass of swamp near the edge of the tide pools. The breeze blew from the south and she could smell the salt on the air. Finally! she thought, Now I can escape this dreadful place! Nineave wanted nothing more than to return to the sea. She had lived there only a week or so until she ventured into the Mangroves. Watching every step, Nineave trotted towards the source of the wind. The damp air clung to her coat like a second skin. Oh yes, she was ready to escape.

Once she finally came to the edge of the Mangrove, Nineave whinnied in joy. She broke into a careful canter between the pools, and inhaled the fresh Ocean air. This was the place that Nineave wanted to be. Suddenly she slips on a edge and falls into a large pool. The cool water brings her delight and she splashes around for a while letting her log hair glide through the water. Nineave ducked under and found multiple small, bright fish staring at her. She smiled at them, and they darted away. Coming to the surface, Nineave climbs out of the tide pool and finds a comfortable cliff. She settles down and watches the warm sun set over the ocean. Twilight came and she welcomed the sleep that accompanied it.