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Momo loved walking through the town square. He waved at windows. He sniffed at flowers. But today, the fountain was quiet. “Hmm,” said Momo. “Fountains should be splashy.”
Momo pressed his big fluffy ear to the stone. Gurgle. Gurgle. Something was in there! “Water is hiding,” he said. “But why?”
Momo blew into the spout as hard as he could. PFFFFT. A great cloud of dust flew out. “ACHOO!” sneezed Momo — so loud the pigeons jumped. No water came.
“Maybe it just needs a nudge,” said Momo. He pushed the fountain with his round belly. It wobbled. He slipped. BONK — down he sat on the cobblestones. Still no water.
Momo had one more idea. He sang to the fountain. Low notes. High notes. Wobbly notes. The pigeons flew away fast. But the fountain stayed dry and silent.
One brave pigeon flew back. It landed on the pipe and pecked — peck, peck, peck — at something behind the big flower pot. Momo tilted his head. “What did you find?”
Momo waddled over and peered behind the pot. There was a lever! It pointed the wrong way, so the water couldn't get through. “Oh!” said Momo. “OH!”
Momo stretched his stubby arm around the flower pot. He grabbed the lever. He pulled with all his fluffy might. CLICK. The lever snapped into place.
WHOOOOOOSH! Water burst from the fountain — and soaked Momo from ears to feet. He gasped. He giggled. The fountain sang and sparkled in the sun.
People cheered! Children splashed! The pigeon bobbed its head. Momo, dripping and grinning, did his slowest, happiest wiggle dance on the cobblestones.
Momo patted the fountain gently. He waved to the whole square. Then he waddled on — and he always, always checked behind the flower pots.
