A Golden Sunshade

A fallen golden ginkgo leaf caught my eye as I stepped along the gravel garden path, its fan-like ribbing flared wide like the pleats of a delicate parasol. Curious to see how it would balance, I picked it up and found a slender, sun-dried pine twig nestled between the paving stones. With steady care, I wedged the twig's tapered end securely beneath the leaf's tough central stem, fashioning a lightweight canopy. Hoisting my little parasol overhead, I strolled forward into the morning sun, watching its bright translucent glow cast a crisp, scalloped shadow right across my steps.