The Sea in a Shell

I scrambled out of the fleece slipper and marched over to the bottom shelf of the bookcase. Tucked between two thick books sat a ridged white scallop shell, its fan-shaped edge glowing in the lamplight. Bracing my boots against the polished shelf, I wedged both curved hands beneath its fluted rim. It felt cool and delightfully chalky! Heaving with my whole weight, I tilted the hollow shell upward until the curved bowl rested right against my ear. A faint, hollow whoosh hummed inside the chamber—just like tiny ocean waves tumbling over pebbles on the shore. I stood completely still, listening to the secret tide.