A Crisp Visitor

Stepping past the cracked-open patio door onto the cool flagstones, I paused to take in the unfamiliar expanse of the garden. Right at the edge of the woven coir mat, a crisp, copper-colored maple leaf was trembling softly in the morning draft. I observed it closely through my round lenses, intrigued by the delicate scratch it made whenever the breeze nudged it. Moving forward with measured care, I reached out and gently pressed my front paw over its slender stem. The leaf instantly stilled, resting neatly against the stone threshold, and I settled down beside it to enjoy the quiet outdoors.