Rolling

By Gary Davison

The silly man tumbles along the sidewalk, head over heels. He sees where he’s going and where he’s been—over and over again.

In the nick of time, he masters the knack of turning and maneuvers through a gate. Up the walkway he speeds, hitting the door with a thunderous thwack.

A little girl answers the door.

Looking down she sees him sprawled across the threshold. At her feet, her dog Paddy whacks the door frame with its tail: anticipating.

He sits up laughing, carefully checking and feeling for broken bones.

Relieved, the girl turns, “Stop searching; Grandpa just rolled home!”