The Sisal Tie

A weathered bamboo cane lay barred across the gravel path, pinned to the earth by a loop of coarse sisal twine. I drew rein a few paces out to measure the rise. The bamboo was sun-bleached and split along one grain, but the knotted cord held it firm against the edge of a flat river stone. Leaning down from the saddle, I nudged the knot with the blunt edge of my stirrup to test the tension. It didn’t yield. With the line anchored and the clearance steady, I eased the reins forward, guiding my mount over the dry timber in one smooth, measured stride.