The little boy lay on the ground, reaching as far as he could toward where he had just seen the pearl.
With his other hand, he grabbed the potted plant beside him.
His body was turned to one side, and his face was scrunched up in a grimace.
It was the chilly early spring, and the water was still ice-cold.
Tiny goosebumps rose on the little boy's exposed arm where he had rolled up his sleeve.
The little boy's eyes lit up.
His fingertips touched the round pearl.
"Phew~"
He took a deep breath and reached a little farther in, until his cheek brushed the chilly surface of the pond.
Got it!
The little boy grinned.
The little boy didn't even look at the pearl he had pulled out. In his current position, it was difficult to turn his head.
He casually stuffed the pearl into his pants pocket, then reached into the pond again.
Suddenly, a strong force in the water seemed to try to snatch the pearl from his hand. The little boy pressed his lips together, his face stubborn. Even as his body was slowly dragged toward the water, he refused to let go.
That was his pearl!
The little boy held his breath.
His nose was already touching the water.
It looked like half his face was about to go under.
The next second, the little boy blinked, and the force in the water disappeared.
He easily pulled his hand back above the surface.
What was that?
The little boy was a little bewildered.
But he didn't think too much about it.
He reached into the water again.
After feeling around the bottom of the pond for a while and finding no more pearls, the little boy shook his arm, then used the