A Tournament of Walnuts

I set my sights on the grand expanse of the dining table, stepping past the salt shaker to inspect a wide shallow bowl filled with walnuts. One stray walnut had rolled out onto the polished wood, tilting precariously near an empty water glass. With an easy smile, I rolled up my sleeves and lined up a smooth glass checker piece I had carried along. Using the edge of my palm with measured restraint, I flicked the checker across the grain. It struck the walnut with a crisp clack, nudging it cleanly into the center of the tabletop like a victory in a leisurely palace tournament.