The Rolling Bead

A tiny click echoed across the hardwood. I froze. My ears tilted sharp. Just by the front door shoe rack, a loose wooden bead wobbled on the floorboards. I crouched low, paused, and watched it rock back and forth. One second. Two seconds. Then—dash! I planted my paws and nudged it with my nose. It rolled! Tracing a smooth curve, it bumped straight into the heel of a sneaker and came to a neat halt. I stood tall, guarding my catch.