A Hollow Echo

I heard a quiet tap near the front door. Waddling across the floorboards with careful, tiny hops, I found an open paper mailer lying flat on the rug. Sticking out from the top was a sturdy, hollow cardboard tube. I paused, tilting my head to inspect the dark circle at its opening. Leaning close, I gave a gentle whisper inside. A soft, hollow hoot came right back at me. Intrigued, I used my flipper to give the side a slow nudge. It rolled across the weave with a rhythmic, rumbling hum and bumped gently against the umbrella stand.