The Spinning Compass Needle

My paws bounded straight across the desk runner toward an antique pocket compass resting flat in the morning sun! A tiny spring-loaded brass pin peeked out from the top ring. I scrambled onto the curved casing, planted both front paws firmly on the polished knob, and shoved straight down—snick-ping! The hinged lid popped wide open with an eager metallic bounce, swinging clean back against the wood! Inside, a slender blued-steel needle awoke, spinning in a rapid metallic blur across the engraved star before quivering to a crisp halt right toward the window glass. Pika!