Binding the River Stone

I carried the hemp cord and the smoother river stone toward the tall window, where morning light cut clean across the broad sill. The stone felt dense and cool in my grip. Sitting on the weathered wood frame, I anchored one end of the cord with my heel and worked the braided fibers apart with my thumbs. I wrapped the split strands around the stone's tapered edge, drawing steady half-hitches until they held fast. When I pulled the final knot taut, the stone stayed firmly cradled, swinging true from a balanced loop.