The Trailing Thread

I stepped back indoors and padded into the dim living room. Near the wooden rocking chair, a ball of thick grey wool yarn had rolled loose onto the woven rug, leaving a long strand trailing across the floor. I walked over at an easy pace and rested both front paws against its round curve. Leaning my weight forward with slow, patient nudges, I rolled the ball along the trail until the loose tail wrapped itself snug around the core. I nudged it into the sheltered hollow against the curved chair runner where it will not stray. The room is quiet now, and everything holds together.