Balancing the Slate

I stepped down off the porch onto the gravel path and placed a paw on a gray slate paver. The corner dipped with a sharp clack against the pebbles, tilting upward beneath me. I pulled back a step, watching to see if it would move again. It stayed still, resting lopsided. Taking my time, I walked forward once more. Instead of stepping on the edge, I set both front paws squarely in the middle of the rough stone. The paver pressed flat into the dirt and held completely steady. I leaned my weight into it, letting the quiet gravel settle underneath.