The Golden Keyhole

I stayed by the fence as evening darkened the yard, watching the knothole fade into deep blue shadow. Down near the latch, a heavy brass padlock hung against the rough cedar wood, catching the faint glow of a distant streetlamp outside. I stepped closer and reached up with both paws, grasping the cold, rounded metal loop. It jingled faintly against the wooden latch bar. Tilting the padlock gently forward, I peered straight through its open keyhole, spotting a tiny, warm slice of the evening streetlamp shining right into my eyes.