The Fallen Pinecone

I scrambled across the patio stones on a super-fast perimeter patrol! That was when I saw it—a prickly, woody giant lying right beneath the outdoor dining chair. I froze, horns lowered and tail club held tense, ready to defend the yard! But it didn't move. Creeping closer step by step, I gave it a curious poke with my snout. It smelled like sticky sap and dry earth, rolling forward with a delightful dry crunch. It wasn't a monster at all, just a huge pinecone! Grinning with excitement, I turned around and gave it a solid whack with my tail club, sending it spinning across the flagstones like the ultimate game of dino-croquet!