A Gentle Balance

A slender silver teaspoon lay balanced across the rim of an empty ceramic mug on the nightstand. I padded quietly across the dark oak, pausing just an inch away to observe its tilt. The polished metal caught the soft glow of the shaded bedside lamp. Lifting my right paw, I pressed down slowly on the curved handle. The metal seesawed with a clear, tiny chime against the glazed stoneware, lifting the bowl into the air. I held my paw steady, watching the slow, rhythmic rocking until the quiet vibrations faded away completely. It settled back into perfect balance. I curled my paws beneath my chest and rested right beside it.