The Woven Shadow Nest

I trotted in from the cool outdoor step right into the warm living room—gasp! Tucked beside the dark brick fireplace stood an open woven wire basket filled with soft, rolled wool blankets! I leaped straight up and scrambled over the metal rim! The whole wire frame gave a sudden, metallic *clang-shudder*! I froze instantly, hooves tucked tight, staring wide-eyed into the dim room, waiting to see if the basket was going to tumble over! But it didn't! It stayed perfectly still. I sank all four hooves deep into the thick, oatmeal-colored fleece, letting the cozy warmth swallow me whole for the night!