The Bounding Knight

I nudged the carved wooden horse right across the smooth checkered board with both front paws! It had pointed ears and a proud snout, looking ready to leap over an entire row of pawns. With a firm push, I slid it onto an empty dark square. Clack! Its green felt base gripped the glossy mahogany. My tail gave a cheerful flick of celebration, accidentally bumping a little white pawn right off its post—it tipped over with a soft rattle, rolling against the raised rim of the board. I leaned down and tapped the knight's polished wooden mane, admiring my bold first move!