Acorn Chute

I lined up three smooth acorns along the edge of the stone patio table. An empty terracotta flowerpot lay tipped on its side thirty centimeters away. To bridge the gap, I angled a slender curved strip of dried pine bark between them, creating a downward chute. I nudged the first acorn forward with my thumb. It tracked down the center channel, picked up velocity, and dropped cleanly into the pot with a hollow clatter. The second followed on the same line. On the third run, I gave it a slightly firmer push; it banked along the rim and settled beside the others. Three for three.