Pippa’s Secret Branch Game — High in the eucalyptus crown, a baby koala whispered a new game into her own paws: Find the leaf that makes no sound. Read the full story →
High in the eucalyptus crown, a baby koala whispered a new game into her own paws: Find the leaf that makes no sound. Pippa needed one silent leaf before nap, or the game would not be official. She slid from the cozy fork where her mother rested and crept along a branch that smelled sharp and minty. Snip-snap went twigs. Hush-hush went leaves. A beetle tickled her toe, and Pippa had to leave behind her favorite loose bit of bark to steady herself.
Past three drooping blossoms, she found a leaf so still it looked like it was holding its breath. “Secret winner,” Pippa whispered. Then the branch gave a tiny wobble. Pippa hugged the nearest warm fur and felt her mother’s steady chest rumble like faraway thunder. The silent leaf could stay where it belonged. Pippa had found the best spot in the game. If you peek among the leaves, you may spot the two players keeping the secret together.
