The Ripple

A girl stands atop a ledge above the waters of a pond, a pebble in her hand. The surface is as still as glass and she pauses to admire the serenity and gaze upon that which is reflected back at her. She had brought the pebble to toss into the water and to watch how far the ripples would extend beautifully through the stillness, but after seeing the perfection of the pond, she changes her mind. She turns to leave, having dropped the pebble onto the slanted shore of her perch. However, in a moment of unbalance, she slips just enough to push the pebble into a roll with her heel. It rolls down the shore and off the end of the ledge above the waters of the pond. When it breaks the glass surface of the water, the ripples extend beautifully through the stillness to every edge. It is exactly as she hadn't wanted to see, but all she can do now is be patient and wait for the water to become still once again. The ripples are beautiful.