A Morning Bell

I nudged a tiny brass bell that had slipped from the curtain tie onto the painted sill. It rolled forward with a faint, clear chime that hung gently in the morning air. The little orange hatchling peeked out from behind my hind leg, ears perking at the bright ring. Moving with slow, measured patience, I held the brass loop steady against the wood using the edge of my front paw. The hatchling trotted over, tapping the smooth metal dome with its snout to make another soft ring before settling down happily right beside it.