The water flows up from within the large array of river stones, and tumbles over the stones, making beautiful, sweet, soothing water sounds. As you listen to the water, you can relax by raking the sand around the one stone in the zen sand garden that is in the upper corner, just above the water pond. This picture here is a closeup of the water pond and the zen sand garden with rake. You can also place your own accessories on the slate around the water pond. This zen tabletop fountain is absolutely GORGEOUS in the way it looks and the way it sounds. It will bring you many years of soothing, relaxing joy. Being a hand crafted fountain, the natural texture, shape and color of the slate and river stones can vary somewhat from fountain to fountain. However, your fountain will still be very beautiful, and you will LOVE it.