A New Line on the Map

YY found the limb across the lower path and immediately pictured Mira's face when he said new line.

Then a twig poked him in the ear and ruined the dignity of the discovery.

"Still counts," he said.

The limb was fresh down, with wet bark seams and beetles underneath. YY crossed once for himself, then went back and crossed again slower, counting where a smaller paw could grip. Three young squirrels watched from the fern edge with the intense silence of children hoping someone else would test the dangerous thing first.

YY showed them the notch-route. Not fast. Not flashy. Paw here, tail low, do not step on the slick green patch unless you enjoy becoming a lesson.

Mira added the limb to the map after he reported it: lower path blocked, over-route possible, underside food.

The limb had changed the path. The ledger changed how quickly everyone else had to learn it the hard way. YY liked that kind of useful.