A Gentle Roll

A spool of mint-green cotton ribbon was resting on its side near a stack of paper bags. I crept forward and gave its wooden rim a cautious nudge with my paw. It spun smoothly across the warm varnish, unspooling a soft, twisting trail across the counter. Before it could reach the far ledge, I scampered ahead, planting both paws firmly against the wooden rim to guide it to a stop right against the curved belly of a heavy ceramic mug. The ribbon rested loosely between us like a tiny pale green path.