A Bedtime Tassel

I padded back inside from the night air and settled onto the wool rug by the sofa. Right beside my toes, the corner of an old woven throw pillow ended in a soft, thick yarn tassel. I sat quietly, gathering the loose strands between both padded paws. They were bundled together by a snug collar of twisted thread. With patient nudges of my thumb, I smoothed each wavy fringe flat against the floor. They fanned out like tiny feathers, perfectly still in the dim, warm lamplight.