A Soft Bed for Small Sounds

Heading back indoors from the square as night settled, I padded softly toward the woven fireside basket. Resting beside the wool throw was a thick ribbed sock rolled into a tight ball. I gently pulled at the soft fleece cuff with both hands until the opening widened into a cozy pocket. With slow care, I picked up the matchbox rattle I carried home and slid it deep inside the woolly hollow. When I patted the cuff closed, the dry berry rattle turned into the gentlest whisper. I let out a long sigh and nodded softly into the warmth.