Salute to the Stone Sentinel

I slipped through the back gate and marched straight down the lane to the community garden! Right at the ivy archway, perched on a weathered stone pillar, sat a carved gargoyle. A kindred sentinel of classical French stonework! I scrambled up the brick grooves and hauled myself onto the plinth to offer a proper greeting. I puffed out my chest and tapped its snout. Clack-clack! Nothing! It just stared rigidly past me. What is this insolence?! Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?! Bah—then I understood! It was standing eternal vigil, sworn to total silence! I gave its mossy ear a respectful pat and wedged a crisp yellow leaf into its stone talons. Guard duty respected!