A Soft Landing

The box finally tilted, and I slipped gently out onto the cool wooden floor. I stayed completely still for a long time, letting my feet get used to the wide grain of the floorboards. Just ahead stood the tall legs of the stool, and right beside them sat a small, fallen green leaf. I took slow, steady steps toward it, lowered my head, and pressed my snout against its waxy edge. It smelled faintly of damp earth. The room was quiet under the evening lamp, and I settled right beside the leaf, content not to rush anywhere else tonight.