Ticking Pocket

A tiny tick-tick-tick caught my ears right beside the couch! I waddled over to investigate. On the wooden side table was a canvas pencil case with a shiny brass zipper. Ooh! I reached out my plush fingers and gave the pull a firm slide. Zzzrrip! It slid right open! Inside, sitting on a soft folded tissue, was a round metal wristwatch. Tick-tick-tick! The beat was so steady and bright. I rested my chin against the rim of the pouch, listening to its cheerful little rhythm until my eyelids began to feel heavy.