Through the Narrow Gap

I nudged a dense wool dryer ball across the smooth floorboards... watching it roll in a slow, silent arc. Right ahead, two tall leather boots stood near the hall bench, leaving a narrow space between their heels. I paused, tilting my head to measure the opening. One more careful push with my snout sent the ball gliding forward. It rolled cleanly through the gap without brushing a single lace. I trotted after it, resting both front paws over the soft wool sphere as it tapped the baseboard.