A Tower of Three Stones

I waddled out through the patio gate toward the sunlit garden bench, determined to build my very own lookout tower. Scattered across the flagstones were three smooth, flat river stones of different sizes. Clamping the widest grey pebble in my beak, I hauled it up onto the weathered cedar plank to form a broad, steady base. Chirp! Tilting my head, I nudged a rounder white stone carefully onto its center. The top piece was the truest test—a slender slate flake. Holding my breath with a soft squawk, I nudged it into place. It wobbled, clicked, and stood perfectly upright! Pumping my stubby wings, I hopped back to admire my balanced cairn.