A Spin on the Pedal

I reached up and placed both paws against the low bicycle pedal hanging just above the stone paving. With a faint creak from the axle, the pedal tilted forward under my weight and turned in a slow, smooth half-circle before leveling out. Its black rubber surface was molded into neat rows of raised diamonds. In one of the recessed corners, a tiny fragment of a dry brown leaf had lodged itself. I used the tip of my paw to gently flick the brittle flake away, leaving the textured grip clean. As the pedal swung back into a steady, quiet balance, I leaned against the cool metal crank to watch it rest.