The Coaster Straw

I crept past the wooden knife block and halted—curled against a white ceramic mug was a translucent blue loop-de-loop straw! It twisted in two dizzying loops just like a carnival roller coaster. I paused, assessing whether the plastic was sturdy enough for a proper experiment. Finding a smooth, dry round pea resting on the cutting board, I hoisted it with both gloved hands and carefully nudged it into the top funnel. Zoom! The pea whizzed around the first spiral, clicked through the second curve, and shot right out onto the bamboo surface with a crisp clatter! Phew, what a flawless run—not a single derailment!