A Ringing Strike

I set the small brass bell on its side on the smooth floorboards. From the blanket hollow, I took my green swirl marble. I knelt down, aiming with both hands. With a gentle tap of my thumb, the marble rolled straight across the wood. It struck the rim of the bell with a neat, silvery chime. The bell wobbled on its curved side, humming softly, while the marble bounced back an inch and stopped. I sat back on my heels, listening to the tiny ring float away into the quiet room.