A Worthy Weight

A towering leather-bound volume stood wedged between cold wooden dividers, mocking me with its sheer density. I planted both boots firmly onto the shelf plank, braced my palms against its spine, and drove forward with measured intent. The dense paper resisted, groaning as friction bit back. Hah. A slight shift in leverage, a sudden thrust from my core, and the beast slid outward an inch, grinding against the timber. It did not topple like that fragile ceramic, but conceded ground just the same. A decent trial of endurance.