A Glowing Perch

A soft purple twilight settled into the room, and I noticed the floor lamp beside the sofa was glowing with a warm, low ring of light. Leaning right against its brass pole stood a small, hollow decorative wooden crate, turned on its side like a tiny stage! I gathered my momentum at a brisk waddle and hurled myself straight onto the smooth flat top. My rounded vinyl bottom met the polished wood with a cheerful squeak as I wobbled, balanced, and sat firmly upright. In the gentle glow, the green bats across my middle seemed to flicker with life. I raised both stubby arms toward the ceiling and let out a triumphant honk.