A Little Checkered Slide

I hopped down from the kitchen stool straight onto the cool granite counter. Right in front of me sat a checkered dish towel, neatly folded into thick squares next to an open ceramic mug. Naturally, I gave the edge a playful nudge with both feet. Whoosh! The cloth slipped along the slick stone, carrying me in a smooth glide right into the sturdy wall of the mug. Bump! A soft landing. I hopped out, turned the towel at a fresh angle, and perched on the mug's ceramic handle. From up here, the neat white-and-blue grid looked just like a mini chessboard waiting for its next move.