Vine hated walking on rough ground—the sharp stones hurt its paws. Worse, all it saw were human legs unless it…
Vine hated walking on rough ground—the sharp stones hurt its paws. Worse, all it saw were human legs unless it lay back and exposed its belly, inviting unwanted rubs. Yet it found that comforting.
Humiliated, Vine vowed to grow taller than humans, grapevines, and houses. Perched on dew-soaked vines, it proudly looked down below—until a slip sent it falling, caught safely by waiting hands.
Afterward, Vine climbed cautiously. Then a voice promised to return, it waited—above, below, and along the path—until it realized it might have to move on if the person never came back.