Two open palms rose up, holding Piper gently. A breath of wind slipped underneath — and Piper lifted free.
The reeds whispered as he slipped past them. The water shivered — a whole new world opening up around his paper hull.
Piper nudged closer to a cluster of lily pads. Tadpoles wiggled past his hull — one of them tapped his side. Splash!
Piper rocked with a giggle — no one could hear him, but he giggled anyway. A dragonfly landed on his bow, wings ticking like a tiny clock.
Sunbeams broke through the trees and spilled onto the water like gold coins. Piper tilted to chase one.
The warm beam climbed right onto his deck. Piper followed it deeper into the pond, forgetting where he started.
A breeze swept in — hard. Piper tipped to one side, his paper edge dipping toward the dark water.
Piper pressed flat and shifted his weight. He held his breath. The ripple — then steadied.
He kept going. The pond grew quieter, and the trees drew closer together.
Piper glided back toward the shore. His paper sides were a little rumpled, but his bow stayed high.
The child waited there. She picked him up — and Piper rested against her palm, warm from the sun.
The pond sparkled behind him. He had never been prouder.