A Pinch of Fresh Pepper

I climbed right up the tea tin stack and reached the wooden spice shelf! Sitting there was a tall wooden pepper mill with a smooth brass nut on top. I wrapped both arms around its rounded wooden cap and gave it a sturdy twist. Crunch-crackle! The internal ceramic gears bit down, grinding with a satisfying rasp that shook straight through my sleeves. A shower of dark, fragrant flecks tumbled out the bottom onto a clean ceramic saucer below. The spicy, fresh aroma tickled the air instantly, and I grinned wide, admiring the neat little pile of freshly cracked specks!