While photographing roses in Portland's Rose Garden, I heard the shrill wail of a young voice a good distance away. This child had fallen into a fountain. After a few moments, the shrieks stopped and the tears dried. On my way out of the garden I met her and her mother. She was still soaked. I asked her if she would let me make a picture, and she cautiously agreed. It’s the incongruity of the hair, the anxious expression, and the close up, high vantage point that makes it work. Childhood means living by trial and error. She made an error and this portrait is evidence of her experience.