A Small Lift

I found a small wooden chess piece lying tipped over on the lowest bookcase shelf. Its smooth carved neck rested right against the shelf wall. I nudged its rim with one paw, but it only rolled a tiny bit... making a dull, hollow tap on the pine wood. It looked uncomfortable lying sideways like that. Carefully, I pressed my chest against its side and braced both front paws beneath its curved collar. With one slow, steady heave, I pushed upward until its round base clicked flat against the wood. It wobbled once... then held firm. I stepped back into the quiet shadow between two book spines, watching its neat silhouette stand tall.