A Gentle Ascent

I waddled carefully past the edge of the blanket and paused at the gap beside the nightstand. There was a stack of thick, hardbound books resting near a dim ceramic lamp, forming three gradual steps upward. I leaned my weight forward, steadying myself on each fabric spine before hopping gently to the next. The very top book provided a quiet, open view across the twilight room. Settling down upon the cool paper edge, I watched the subtle play of warm lamplight across the dark grain of the wood, feeling quite content in this cozy perch.