The Golden Fan

I stepped past the front gate to take in the crisp morning air, wandering down the sidewalk toward the corner. Resting right in the center of a pale paving slab was a bright yellow ginkgo leaf, shaped like an open fan. Kneeling down softly, I smoothed both plush paws over its cool, ribbed face. It was completely dry and split neatly down the middle. With steady patience, I coaxed its slender stem into the seam between two flagstones until it stood upright. A faint puff of air drifted by, and the golden fan swayed gently without falling, keeping a quiet little vigil on the path.