The Slate Slide

A flat piece of slate leaned against the garden border, forming a low, smooth ramp. Right at the bottom, a tight brown pinecone lay quiet in the grass. I paused, watching its neat spiral scales. Slowly, I took two quiet steps forward. I pressed my front hooves against the pinecone and gave a patient push. It rolled all the way up the tilted stone. The moment I stepped back, it tumbled right down again, making three quick, hollow clatters before resting against my toes. It rolled so smoothly. I nudged it straight and pushed it up the stone once more.