The Whispering Spring

A tiny spiral of silver caught the corner of my eye by the wall. I crept closer, pausing after each quiet step. It was a spring doorstop sticking out from the painted baseboard, capped with soft white rubber. I took a slow breath and reached out my front paw. Flick. The coil twanged back and forth with a rapid, buzzing wobble... boing-ing-ing. I blinked and dropped low, waiting patiently until its shimmering shadow settled. It didn't jump off the wall. When it went silent, I gently patted the rubber tip again just to be sure it was asleep.