Three Stones High

I slipped through the gap in the screen door and walked out onto the warm balcony tiles. Down beside a big terra-cotta planter, three smooth river pebbles were resting in the dry potting soil. I gathered them one by one. Kneeling on the tile, I laid the flattest pebble down as a solid base. It took careful focus and both of my hands to balance the second stone securely on top. When I gently placed the tiniest round pebble onto the very peak, the stack didn't wobble at all. I took two cautious steps backward so my footsteps wouldn't shake it down.