A Gentle Click in the Dark

My paws padded back across the threshold into the quiet hallway, weary from the day out in the neighborhood. Over beside the iron foot of the tall floor lamp, a small, dangling brass pull-chain had swayed into a tight knot around an unlit beeswax candle stub on the side stand. I stood still for a second, letting out a deep, sleepy rumble in the dim quiet. Moving with patient, steady steps, I lifted my plush paws and worked the tiny beaded chain loose from the waxy curve. With a slow, deliberate tug, I gave the chain a gentle downward pull until a soft, warm click bathed the rug in amber light. Settling down against the warm wooden baseboard, I tucked my chin onto my chest and let out a long, contented sigh.