A Smooth Pebble

I followed the edge of the damp stone path until I spotted a small, round gray pebble lodged in the dirt. It had a rough fleck of dried root wrapped across its curve. Kneeling on the cold flagstone, I worked at the root with my plush paws. It took three careful nudges to loosen the knot. Once free, I rubbed the stone smooth against my brown knit trousers, watching tiny beads of moisture evaporate into the quiet midday air.