Robins plucked at the earth, loosening the leaves, exposing the sun to the bowl's wood. The steady warming of the earth flushed out bursts of life. New growth reached out till by summer it was wild. There came a day of sudden voices and new footsteps. These were acutely noted by the animals from their protected places of watching and listening.
Paths lay flat in the wild grass under the footsteps.
On another day the voices came, the footsteps stayed. People moved into the house. Hammer sounds rang, there were human calls and whistles, and song. The garden was turned over. The bowl was found and brought to the kitchen.