Straightening the Straws

A handful of striped paper straws had tumbled across the stainless steel tray, rolling toward the edge in complete disarray. Disordered party gear at lunchtime cannot stand. I stepped onto the cold counter lip and gripped a heavy wooden napkin ring between both tapered arms. Bracing my heels against the steel rim, I swept the ring forward like a rake, corralling the runaway cylinders into a tight, parallel bundle. With one final authoritative push, I wedged them firmly against the ceramic mug base. Total alignment has been enforced.