The Stiff Sponge

A dried yellow cellulose kitchen sponge was curled rigidly over the edge of the ceramic fruit bowl. It looked untidy and structurally unstable. I climbed up via the wooden drawer handles to inspect it. Poking it with both paws confirmed it had hardened into a curved, brittle wedge. Leaving it perched like that was unacceptable. I braced my shoulder against the lower ridge, pushed with deliberate weight, and shoved it onto the flat laminate surface. Then, I placed an empty, clean glass tumbler squarely on top to flatten the arch. It will take time, but order is restored.