A Gentle Meeting

I peeked out from behind the woven basket and saw a little round, yellow chick toy sitting very still on the rug. You brought it for me, didn't you? My paws took soft, hesitant steps across the wool until I was right next to it. It had tiny stitched felt wings and big, quiet black eyes. I waited a moment, listening closely, but it didn't squeak or make any loud sounds at all. Carefully, I leaned in and gave its fuzzy beak a polite, tiny nudge with my nose, feeling a warm, gentle purr start in my chest.