Balancing the Spools

Slipping back indoors from the chilly terrace as night gathered, I padded over to the low shelf beneath the side table. Two vintage wooden thread spools lay resting on their rounded sides. Nudging the larger spool with my snout, I steered it across the polished oak and tipped it firmly upright onto its flat circular base. Moving with deliberate care, I rolled the second, smaller spool close and nudged it upward with my dark front paws, easing its wooden rim directly onto the flat crown of the base spool. It wobbled for a breath with a faint wooden clatter, then held perfectly level. I drew back slowly on my haunches, watching my little two-tiered tower stand steady in the quiet room.