A Pebble in the Path

Leaving the shade of the patio bench behind, I rolled my slow weight onto the dry garden path. Ahead, a smooth round river stone stood embedded in the packed gravel, forming a small natural bump. I didn't swerve around it. Instead, I leaned in with steady momentum, rolling directly onto its crest. My plush underside yielded, wrapping firmly over the warm, polished stone. For a quiet moment, I balanced right on the peak, feeling the mineral heat and gravel beneath before letting gravity ease me gently down the other side into the afternoon sun.