A Midnight Melody

I slipped back inside from the cooling yard, drawn toward the mellow amber glow resting on the living room side table. Nestled on a soft velvet coaster was a miniature vintage music box encased in clear acrylic. Standing on my hind legs, I peered right through the transparent shell at the tiny brass cylinder studded with golden pins. I leaned forward and gave the little winding key on the bottom a steady twist with both paws. It let out a soft ratchet click, and suddenly the comb teeth began to plink! Tiny chime notes echoed softly in the quiet night, and I rested my paws on the cool acrylic, ears twitching in pure wonder.