The Golden Halo

I came back inside as the outdoor dusk deepened, hopping up to the wooden lamp base on the low table. When the warm bulb clicked awake, a broad ring of golden light cast downward onto the polished wood. Inside the circle sat a smooth glass marble, glowing like an amber eye. I crept down onto the tabletop, crouching low until my chest nearly brushed the varnish. Slowly, I nudged the glass with the tip of my beak, rolling it gently into the exact center of the light ring.