The Leaping Beam

A dancing circle of pale light flickered across the fence boards as I trotted along the walkway. Following the bright glare down to the stone border, I found a small round pocket mirror resting half-open against a damp patch of moss. I approached quietly, sniffing the cool metallic rim before giving the hinged cover a cautious tap with my front paw. The mirror tipped forward on its mossy cushion with a faint click. Instantly, the round beam of light darted across the weathered cedar planks, trembling slightly before settling squarely on a dark knothole. I sat back on the cool flagstones, watching the sunspot hold its new place.