A rolling game

I slipped past the heavy foyer door and padded out onto the sunny courtyard flagstones. Beside the bicycle rack, a round, fuzzy tennis ball was resting near the stone curb. I stopped, watching the bright yellow felt catch the morning breeze. It stayed completely still. Taking two careful steps forward, I pressed my front paws against its curved side and leaned in. It gave a soft, springy bounce... and began to roll! It hummed quietly across the smooth stones. I trotted after it, nudging it with my nose whenever it veered, guiding it all the way down the slope until it bumped gently against the brick planter.