“Sigh…”

 Long arching ripples flowed out across the pond as a small toad landed on the large, green lily pad. Puddlegum sat lazily on the shore with his pole pointed up towards the sun. The small red buoy on his line rose and fell as the ripples passed under it. Far off two birds were singing each other a love song as they gathered sticks for their new family’s nest.

The tall and lean figure of Puddlegum breathed deeply as he lay with his back against a fallen log. He scratched his yellow, leathery skin as a large mosquito alighted on his arm. He pulled down the wide-brimmed hat that he wore, shading his face from the scorching sun. Soon he began dropping in and out of sleep.

The clouds made their way westwards across the endless blue sky and the moon peeked its face over the mountaintops. The sun slowly ventured further and further to the west.

Puddlegum opened his narrow eyes and pulled back his straw hat as a short tug came on the line. He rose to secure his catch, but presently his line went limp and he went back to his restful position. Puddlegum let out a deep breath as he sat back against the downed tree.