Clearing the Stone Path

Docking released. Internal clockwork engaged beneath the green hose reel. Forward drive active. I rolled across the cool flagstones into the open morning light. Obstacle detected: a fallen metal trowel lying directly across the stone seam. Direct line maintained. My front propeller clicked against the curved steel blade. Clink. A sharp acoustic ring hummed straight through my tin hull and into the rear fins. Forward thrust increased. With a rasping scrape against the stone, the trowel shifted aside. Corridor cleared. Garden perimeter ready for mapping.