A Leaf Boat on Gravel

I nudged through the slightly open garden door and stepped down the low brick stairs into the courtyard. My paws crunched softly across the warm gravel path. In front of me lay a dried, curled maple leaf, resting like a hollow boat. I knelt down and nudged it gently with both paws. Underneath, a cool dark imprint stayed behind on the dry stone, shaped just like the ribs of the leaf. I picked up a smooth grey pebble from the path and set it carefully inside the curl so it would stay right where it landed.