A Pool of Warm Light

I nudged a heavy glass marble resting near the base of the bookcase. It rolled slowly across the dark floorboards, clicking softly as it entered the amber circle cast by the floor lamp. Right in the middle of the light, the sphere flared with a bright, curved beam that splashed across the wood like liquid gold. I crept up on quiet paws and tilted my head, waiting to see if it would move on its own. When it stayed still, I rested both paws against the cool glass and rolled it an inch, watching the glowing pattern dance across the floor.