Stone to Stone

I stepped off the patio onto the first round stepping stone in the grass. A trail of five smooth, flat slates led across the lawn toward the wooden bench. I paused, testing the distance to the next stone with one paw. It looked just a short leap away. Bending my knees softly, I hopped forward and landed with both paws right in the center of the warm gray rock. The slate held firm, never wobbling against the moss. I paused to steady my balance, then hopped to the third stone. My paws stayed completely dry all the way across.