Gauntlet on the Slate

A line of sun-warmed river stones stretched across the garden border like an obstacle course demanding a champion. Standing idle on the patio was out of the question! I kicked off from the concrete edge and charged straight into the gauntlet at full sprint. Each rounded boulder shifted underfoot, but instinct took over. When the third stone wobbled under my right boot, I didn't hesitate—I threw my arms wide for ballast, kicked off the unstable ridge, and vaulted clean onto the broad slate slab at the finish line. Both feet hit home solid. Pure, flawless precision!