A Rough Discovery

A tiny gray crumb caught my attention near the corner of the low bookshelf. I halted mid-stride, staring down with wide eyes as my claws hovered over the floorboards. It was not a bit of food, but a coarse, porous pumice stone someone had dropped. Puffing up my torso to brace myself, I stomped forward and firmly pressed my foot down onto its pitted surface. It did not crush or slide; instead, the sharp, gritty texture scratched delightfully against the thick soles of my feet. Delighted by the rough bite of the stone, I used both hands to roll it back against the skirtboard, letting out a satisfied, breathy chirp into the quiet room.