A Sturdy Rib

I walked down the sidewalk and quietly slipped inside the neighborhood umbrella repair workshop, where the clean scent of oiled twill filled the air. On the edge of a low workbench, I came across an offcut piece of polished black umbrella ribbing with a tiny eyelet at its tip, alongside an unused brass split washer. Pausing to give my round blue spectacles a gentle tap with one paw, I checked the curvature of the steel wire. Working with steady, patient nudges, I slipped the washer onto the narrow prong, bending the eyelet forward so it rested upright against the workbench grain like a quiet, slender antenna.