A Golden Chime

I squeezed beneath the screen door to venture outside into the fresh morning air after days indoors. Pattering down to the bottom wooden step, a faint golden gleam caught my eye beside the porch railing. Resting against the weathered cedar was a small brass jingle bell tied to a frayed hemp cord. I crouched low, tilting my head as the low sun set its polished rim ablaze. Reaching out with two green fingers, I gave the smooth metal dome a cautious nudge. It rolled across the wood with a crisp, ringing chime that echoed softly across the yard. My ears swiveled forward in surprise, and I let out a delighted coo.