A Clean Slate for Lunch

A flurry of colorful fallen leaves had drifted across the center of an outdoor picnic table, partially covering a forgotten wooden checkerboard. Scattered debris across an active game surface halts all tactical maneuvers. I climbed up onto the sturdy wooden bench, then planted my plush paws onto the tabletop. Using my chest as a steady plow, I swept three large red oak leaves off the checkered squares, letting them tumble harmlessly onto the grass below. With a final gentle nudge from my snout, I aligned two stray smooth river pebbles to mark the perimeter corners. The board is now clear, balanced, and open for play.