The Rolling Acorn

I stepped out onto the porch steps to greet the early sun. Down beside the railing, I noticed a glossy brown acorn tucked in the shade. Its rough cap was still firmly attached. Along the second stone step ran a shallow groove, smoothed by years of rainwater. I knelt at the higher edge and set the acorn at the start of the path. With one gentle nudge from my palm, it began to spin, tracing the curved groove all the way down until it nestled softly against a dry fallen leaf. The soft rattle it made along the stone was delightful.