Across the Slate Stones

The quiet hallway felt too small this morning, so I plodded out through the open courtyard gate and trotted down the sidewalk to the neighborhood park. Across the damp lawn stretched a winding path of round, flat slate stepping stones. I paused at the curb, testing the ground level and measuring the jump. Mud on both sides... precarious. I anchored my back paws, took a breath, and launched forward. My front pads hit the first stone with a sturdy, hollow slap. I steadied my weight, then hopped squarely across the rest of the line. High and dry, right on solid rock.