A Gentle Hollow Knock

The room grew quiet as the evening arrived. I slid down from the sofa and padded slowly across the floor toward the dark corner by the tall bookcase. Tucked right behind an upright magazine rack, I found a smooth wooden block, like an oversized domino. I paused and watched it for a long minute. When nothing moved, I reached out and gently tapped its surface with one paw. It made a surprisingly deep, hollow thump that echoed against the lower shelf. I stepped closer, resting my head against the cool polished edge, waiting to see if it would hum back.