A Steady Tick-Tock

I hopped up onto the polished end table and discovered a small round brass travel clock ticking peacefully in the warm lamp glow. Wouldn't its soft heartbeat make the loveliest evening rhythm? I leaned close, resting both paws against the smooth metal casing to listen to the tiny, crisp tick-tock-tick inside. On the back, two ribbed little knobs poked out like miniature spools! With a careful twist of my paws, I nudged the winding wing key just half a turn. Click-whir-click! The gentle ratchet hummed right through the metal into my paws. I tapped my green toes in time with the quiet tempo, completely charmed by its cozy bedtime song.