A Ring of Pebble Shadows

I slipped through the low terrace screen, eager to feel the open breeze outside after staying inside all morning. Right beneath the mosaic table, a small terracotta saucer sat catching the warm noon light. Inside, someone had left several smooth river stones alongside a sprig of dry lavender. I knelt beside the saucer and carefully selected six flat, rounded grey pebbles. With patient nudges, I stood each pebble on edge around the outer rim of the saucer, letting their curved tops lean gently inward like a miniature stone ring. Tucking a slender lavender stem straight across the center opening completed the balance. I sat back quietly, watching the slanted shadows cut crisp arcs across the terracotta.