A Ring of Braided Leather

A thick loop of braided russet leather lay resting near the bottom of the wicker basket. I stood quietly for a long moment, watching how the morning light caught its neat, crossed stitches. Stepping forward with gentle, unhurried steps, I leaned down and pressed the flat of my soft front hoof against the thick seam. The leather had a firm, supple give, yielding slightly before springing back. With a patient nudge of my snout, I tipped it upright onto its curved rim. It rolled a slow, silent half-turn across the oak floorboards before resting snug against my front ankle, smelling warmly of beeswax and polished craft.