The Leaf Stepping Stones

A trail of broad, amber maple leaves lay scattered across the flagstone path just beyond the park gate. Intrigued by their dry, paper-like curl, I lifted one foot and pressed down firmly upon the nearest leaf. A delightfully sharp, rhythmic crunch echoed beneath my sole, breaking the morning quiet with startling clarity. Treating each crisp leaf as a calculated stepping stone, I paced deliberately along the path, timing each stride to produce a steady cadence of snaps and crackles. By the time I reached the bench, a neat mosaic of crushed golden fragments marked my passage.