A Quiet Ribbon

I stepped back through the door and padded quietly across the dark hallway boards. At the base of the low bookcase, a wide woven ribbon caught my eye. It trailed down from a thick, closed volume and rested across the oak shelf. I knelt down with care. The fabric felt cool and ribbed beneath my paws. Very slowly, I smoothed out its slight curve, pressing each strand flat along the wood grain. When it lay perfectly straight, I leaned my back against the sturdy paper edge and let my paws rest.