The Silver Cradle

A wide stainless steel bowl rested on the pale kitchen floor, bright as a silver moon. I nudged the curved rim with my snout. It tipped with a mellow, ringing chime... *bong*. Curious, I hitched my belly over the rounded edge and tumbled softly inside. The cool, polished metal cupped my sides like a little boat. With a tiny flick of my tail fluke, the bowl began to tilt—sway, tilt, sway—rocking in slow, lazy circles across the slick floor. A low, soothing purr hummed through the silver surface right into my fins. I tucked my flippers flat, quietly enjoying the gentle drift.