Nighttime Trophy Shelf

I pushed against the floor mat and dragged a solid wooden crate into the shed corner. Night got very quiet outside. My little brown friend was already curled inside our taped white box, breathing slow and steady, the bronze medal resting safely between its front paws. I hauled myself onto the crate, then reached high to the low shelf plank above our mats. With both claws, I lined up our red clipboard, the shiny whistle, and my blue plastic ruler side by side. Clack, thud. It made a solid sound against the rough timber. High up here, our classroom treasures are safe while we sleep.