A Silvery Tick-Tock Slide

I waddled back inside from the patio and hopped straight onto the dark wooden nightstand! Right beside a warm porcelain bedside lamp, a stainless steel pocket watch was lying with its polished lid popped open. Squeak! I charged right up and threw my round tummy against the curved silver casing! Click-skirr! The little round watch slid across the waxed grain like a tiny metal sled, nudging a dropped ball of soft white cotton thread. The spool rolled an inch, unfurling a neat little ribbon right beneath my side. Snug against the smooth metal rim and the soft yarn, I listened to the steady tick-tick-tick!