A Slanted Shadow

I slipped out through the courtyard gate and strolled into the quiet park. In the middle of the circular flowerbed stood a low stone pedestal holding a weathered brass sundial. I hopped up onto the cool limestone rim. A long, dark wedge of shadow stretched across the carved Roman numerals. A tiny yellow beetle crawled along the metal pointer, then paused. I kept my paws tucked neatly under my chest, watching without a twitch. As the beetle took three slow steps, the shadow seemed to creep along beside it across the brass. I rested my chin against the curved edge of the stone, letting the midday quiet wash over me.