A Step of My Own

The leap from the floorboards to the wide window bench was just a bit too tall this morning. Beside the baseboard rested a heavy stack of three cloth-bound art books. I studied the flat canvas spines for a quiet moment, measuring the rise. Then, planting my front paws firmly against the middle volume, I threw the full weight of my plush chest into the push. It yielded with a dry, whispering scrape against the paper below, sliding forward inch by inch until it formed a sturdy projecting step. I hopped onto the new landing, steadied my footing, and stepped up to the top cover. Sturdy and true. A very neat staircase.