A Bold Step Out

Cardboard and cellophane make a dreadfully dull cage, sweetheart. I pushed past the flaps of the open box and hopped down onto the painted wood of the sill. A discarded silver nail file lay resting beside a dried rosebud, gleaming in the lamplight. Naturally, I couldn't resist testing its grit. A quick rasp against my toy knife gave off the most satisfying little scrape—pure music. A girl needs her edges kept sharp if she's going to explore this fabulous little kingdom.