Two ducks float along the river, quacking amicably like a bickering couple on their golden anniversary. Above them, blue skies. Below them, stones that shimmer in the sunlight. They come to a stop over two submerged bicycles, facing each other, rusting. The ducks bicker, then go bottoms up to eat.

S. Juul lives in Kyoto, Japan, and treasures teatime by the Kamogawa River when not teaching.