Morning Silence

Zlata skipped through the gates of Songbranch Park, her blonde hair bouncing with each step. The morning sun painted everything golden, and she couldn't wait to hear her favorite fountain songs.

She ran toward the center where three flower-shaped fountains usually bubbled with cheerful melodies. But something felt wrong. The park was too quiet.

"Good morning, beautiful fountains!" she called out, twirling in front of them.

Silence.

The fountains still sprayed water, but no music came from their petals. Zlata pressed her ear against the nearest one. Nothing but the sound of splashing water.

"Where are your songs?" she whispered, touching the smooth stone petals.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves above, as if the park itself was sighing sadly.

The Sparrow's Warning

Zlata sat on the fountain's edge, her chin in her hands. A small brown sparrow landed beside her, its feathers ruffled.

"You look as sad as I feel," she said to the bird.

The sparrow chirped three times, then flew to the next fountain. It chirped three more times and moved to the third fountain.

"Wait!" Zlata jumped up. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

The sparrow fluttered back to her shoulder and sang a beautiful melody. Zlata's eyes widened.

"You can sing! But the fountains can't anymore." She looked around the empty park. "Where is everyone? Usually families come here for picnics."

The sparrow chirped urgently and pointed its wing toward the tall oak trees.