A Ring of Starlight

I slipped back inside from the beech trees, shaking the crisp night damp from my fur before padding onto the warm living room rug. Resting near the fireside tools, an old brass curtain ring lay flat on the floorboards beside a small square tin lid. Pausing quietly, I nudged the heavy ring with my nose, guiding it until it sat right atop the tin circle. Tucked inside my fluffy collar was a dried golden beech bud I had carried from the lawn. Using both front paws, I set the slender pointed bud directly into the center of the brass ring. The firelight caught the dark wood grain and polished metal in a warm, steady gleam.