Udon Under the Umbrella

An umbrella was left open to dry by the door, making a striped tent exactly the size of one kitten. Udon stepped beneath it and listened to rainwater tick from each point onto the mat.

He carried in a felt ball, a bottle cap, and half a shoelace. The umbrella became a workshop, then a theater, then a cave from which only two bright eyes could be seen.

When the rain stopped, the umbrella had to close. Udon watched his hideaway fold into a narrow bundle without complaint. He knew the next storm would build it again in a single magical click.