A Rolling Ring

An empty cardboard tape core was standing upright on the bare hallway floor. I paused. I tilted my head to inspect the wide hollow center. Crawling closer on my plush knees, I gave the sturdy rim a slow, gentle push with both paws. It rolled forward across the smooth oak planks with a quiet, humming whir. Past the doorway shadow, it began to wobble in a wide curve, swaying gently side to side until it tipped over flat. It landed with a soft, hollow slap against the wood grain. I sat back on my heels, watching it settle still in the morning beam.