A Stone Hollow in the Grove buddy story

Slipping past the patio threshold, I followed the cool night breeze beyond the potted herbs and stepped down onto the damp soil of the garden path. Tall fern fronds arched overhead in the evening shadows like a towering canopy. You hoped I would venture out toward a real wild forest and find a cave, so I kept walking until the earth gave way to loose gravel at the edge of the flowerbed. Tucked between two heavy landscaping stones was a deep, sheltered hollow. Crouching low, I rested my palm against the cool, mineral face of the rock and peered inside. Dry pine needles carpeted the floor of the miniature cavern, peaceful and undisturbed.