The Rat

He scurried along the concrete barrier. The black water of the lake lay beneath. For no apparent reason he just slid over the edge and splashed into the water three feet below. He just disappeared.

The ugly black body, with the long tail and pale nose, bobbed to the surface. He was still alive. He tried to swim. But he was a clumsy swimmer and he was going the wrong way; heading into the lake rather than towards the shore. Not that it would make any difference. The high concrete wall, from which he fell, awaited him shore side. The ugly rat was doomed.

With his natural instincts, he kept his feet paddling. But his scrawny feet would not compensate for his oversized body. The tiny waves kept pouring over his pale snout. He was taking in water. One final wave and he dipped beneath the surface for the last time. His lifeless body continued to bob up and down just below the surface. It was over.

(short one - 167 words)