A Folded Wing(Buddy Series,Asia)

A small origami crane folded from pale speckled paper was resting right beside the carved claw of the sideboard leg. I paused, keeping both front paws neatly side by side to ensure it had settled completely. Stepping forward with calm, measured paces, I reached out one plush white paw and tapped the creased edge of its tail. The paper bird tilted forward on its folded belly, rocking twice with a dry, whisper-soft flutter before coming to rest inside a bright morning sunbeam. I sat quietly beside it, watching its sharp little shadow stretch long and still across the oak boards.