A Shiny Blue Pebble

I walked down the stone steps into the garden path. The gravel made soft little crunches under my feet. Near the bottom bar of the old gate, something bright caught my eye among the grey pebbles. I paused, bending down slowly to look closer. It was a smooth, round stone, pale sea-glass blue. I reached out and nudged it with both paws. It rolled gently against the warm brick border, completely calm and cool to the touch. I sat beside it for a moment, keeping it company in the quiet morning.