Balter (verb): to dance without skill but with great enjoyment

The little green bird landed upon a musical track.

A literal track. The musical path was made up of little metal bars, like a xylophone, except the bars started high up in a tree and wound downwards, step by step.

There was a human in the yard. Perched on a tall, upright stick, the man put a small metal ball on the top bar and let it roll down.

To the bird’s great surprise, it didn’t fall.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

A lovely note sounded as it hit the first key. Then, it rolled down to hit the next bar, again resonating with a beautiful tone. With each descending drop, the small ball added another note to the intricate tapestry of music. The song danced through the air, upbeat and innocent with a slight metallic echo that reminded the little green bird of a music box it saw in a child’s hands.

Without realizing, the bird stepped to the right. And to the left. And right. And left. Its head bobbed up and down like a silly green apple as it rejoiced to the cute song played on the musical track.

The music stopped.

Pausing halfway through a clumsy side shuffle, the little green bird jolted back into reality. Before it, the human was standing near the tree, wielding a stick with lines on it.

Ah, the musical track wasn’t complete yet. Half embarrassed and half curious for more, the little bird timidly fled the scene, eager to return in the next week.