The Indigo Spool

Beside the curved edge of the embroidery hoop, a small wooden spool of indigo thread was resting on its side. Its flared rims held a dense cylinder of neatly wound cotton strands in place. I knelt down and brought both paws against the smooth wooden edge, giving it a patient, steady nudge. The spool rumbled softly as it rolled across the floorboards, letting loose a straight, slender trail of dark blue thread behind it. When it tapped against the hoop's birch rim, it came to a quiet stop. I pressed the released thread flat with one paw, admiring the clean line connecting the spool to the taut linen.