Every day, Bucket sat by the shed, staring longingly at the sky. Empty. Forgotten. Once, it had been the hero of summer carrying cool water to thirsty flowers, ferrying suds for squealing children splashing in the sun. Now, it was cracked near the rim, its handle rusted stiff, holding only cobwebs and old leaves.
          	
          	But Bucket had not given up hope. “One good rain,” it thought, “and I’ll catch every drop. I’ll prove I still matter.” And so it waited, staring at the clouds, dreaming of weight and purpose and the glorious sound of a storm.