A Swift Leap Across

The dry basin of a concrete bird fountain caught my attention in the middle of the courtyard. I scaled the fluted pedestal using the ridges in the weathered stone and pulled myself onto the outer ledge. Directly across the hollow stood a small stone frog sculpture, watching the sky. The distance looked like three full strides. I bent my knees deep into a crouch, gathered power in my heels, and launched myself straight across the bowl. My boots slammed solidly onto the curved back of the frog with a sharp snap of plastic joints. The stone gave zero wobble. Landing dead center felt crisp.