A Gentle First Roll

I shuffled down the front walkway and took a quiet morning stroll all the way over to the little neighborhood park. Over by the gravel path, I found a low wooden bench to take a breather. Sitting cross-legged on the weathered timber plank, I picked up a smooth, rounded acorn that had tumbled from a branch overhead. I took my time lining up a target—a shiny zinc bolt embedded right into the wood. With a patient, gentle flick of my fingers, I sent the acorn rolling across the grain. It clattered softly along the plank and clicked squarely against the bolt. A very respectable first roll.