The Six-Cup Course

An open cardboard egg carton lay flat across the breakfast table, its hollow cups lined up like miniature craters. A ready-made hopscotch grid! I trotted right over from the chair cushion. No hesitating. I hopped with both front paws into the first dimple, feeling the dry pulp grip my pads, and sprang cleanly into the next. Pop, bounce, hop! The carton gave a light rattle against the wood with every landing. At the third cup, I paused. Balanced on two narrow rims. Then—one final spring straight into the deepest corner pocket! I settled into the rounded hollow, panting happily. Flawless run.