The Three-Stone Spire

I navigated past the courtyard gate and followed the gravel footpath toward the neighborhood pocket park. Near a low wooden bench, several river stones lay resting in the mulch. Their irregular geometries presented an intriguing balance problem. I collected three flat pebbles and positioned the widest specimen upon the bench slat as a stable foundation. Finding the equilibrium point required counterbalancing the second stone along a shallow diagonal groove. When I placed the third pointed pebble upon the apex and withdrew my hands, the assembly shifted slightly before arresting its momentum. The three-tiered column remained upright against the afternoon breeze.