A Smooth Slate Bridge

A shallow muddy dip in the dirt path made me pause just before the garden gate. Rather than walking around it, I searched the edges of the soil until I found three thin, flat slate shards. Leaning my round body forward, I nudged the pieces across the gritty earth with small taps of my corduroy feet. They clicked softly as they slid together across the dip, forming a steady little stone bridge. Stepping carefully onto the slate, my feet stayed clean and dry on the other side.