Balancing the Tile

I slipped through the gate into the midday air, following the sunny sidewalk toward the corner bench. Resting flat against the warm stone curb was a black wooden domino tile with crisp white dots. I paused for a quiet moment, observing its smooth lacquer and tidy balance. Moving in close, I tucked both paws beneath its edge and levered it upright on its narrow side. It wobbled once before finding its center, standing steady like a tiny dark pillar. When a sudden breeze rustled past, it tipped forward and slapped the stone with a sharp, clean clack. I sat down on the warm curb, resting one paw over its polished surface.