'I’m not lazy, I’m solar-powered.'

The gravel crunched softly beneath my feet as I walked toward the lizard. It seemed unfazed by my presence, its stout form planted firmly on the path as though it owned this stretch of earth. Its scales shimmered faintly in the afternoon sun—an intricate mosaic of dark browns and pale yellows that mirrored the scattered stones around it. I crouched down to get a closer look, and for a moment, its beady eyes met mine. There was no fear in them, only a quiet defiance that spoke of a life lived at its own pace. The sun warmed my back as I lingered there, feeling oddly connected to this small creature that seemed to carry an air of ancient wisdom in its slow, deliberate movements.