Conditional Reality

Happenstance Snowglobe leaned a ladder against his house. He climbed up to inspect the chimney, which had been dropping pieces of brick into the fireplace. While he was up there a neighbor took his ladder. Hey, said Happenstance, bring back my ladder. The neighbor ignored him. Happenstance was stranded, but he learned to adjust. He trapped birds for food, pulled up shingles for shelter, and thanked the mysteries every morning for the beautiful sunrises. Years later the neighbor put the ladder back where he found it. Happenstance stared at that ladder for a long time. Then he kicked it over.