Square by Square

A neat row of chalk squares stretched down the smooth stone walkway outside the park fence. Bright white numbers sat inside each box. I paused at the starting line, measuring the distance ahead. Gathering my plush weight, I made a careful leap into square one. My velvet pads left soft dimples in the powdery dust. Two measured hops carried me straight into the double boxes—front paws in the left square, back paws in the right. The flagstone was warm underfoot. With one final spring, I cleared the boundary line and landed squarely inside the big chalk arc at the top.