The Star on the Table

A star-shaped metal cookie cutter was resting on the light pine wood of the kitchen table. I stood still near the fruit bowl for a quiet moment, watching how the morning sunlight shone straight through its hollow rim, casting a sharp five-pointed shadow across the grain. When the room stayed calm, I took two gentle steps closer. Right beside the ceramic salt cellar, a single dried yellow pea had rolled loose onto the wood. Using both plush paws, I carefully nudged the smooth pea across the table until it rested right in the center of the star. It sat there perfectly snug, soaking up the quiet warmth.