A Gentle Tap

A tiny wooden bead was resting near the edge of the rug. I watched it for a long time. It did not move. Slowly, I stepped forward across the smooth wood floor. I lifted one paw and gave it a small, gentle nudge. It rolled. A soft, steady rattle echoed in the quiet room. It bumped lightly against the dark leg of the sideboard and stopped. I walked over and touched my nose to it. A neat little sphere. I settled down right next to it, tucked into the shadow underneath the shelf.