A Curious Reflection
I nudged past the low rung of the side table and paused beside a woven magazine basket. Tucked against its side was a hand-held magnifying glass, resting bowl-down on the floorboards. I pressed one front paw against the cool brass rim, feeling the solid weight hold steady. As I leaned closer, my reflection appeared inside the thick glass lens, curved and strangely magnified. I blinked, watching the rounded image mimic my motion with placid precision. A sudden breeze rustled the loose pages nearby, but I remained still, quietly inspecting the distorted little face gazing back up at me.

