A bead of dew

I stepped past the threshold and made my way onto the garden path. A large, ribbed leaf lay across the damp flagstone, catching the early light. I paused, keeping my footing steady, and lowered my trunk to tap its stiff, fibrous spine. The gentle touch sent a single clear water bead sliding along the green vein. It dropped onto the stone below, darkening a small circle on the gray slate. I stood quietly, watching the cool ring settle into the ground.