Scooping the Stones

I hopped onto the low carved table where an open wooden game board lay scattered with smooth, milky glass pebbles. Most of the carved pockets held little clusters of treasure, but the center hollow was completely bare. Using the side of my front paw, I gently steered three stray pebbles across the polished rosewood, nudging them over the lip until they dropped inside with a crisp clatter. I chuckled softly at the sound. I may not know the ancient desert rules of the board, but making sure every tiny wooden nest has its fair share of pretty stones feels like a very tidy victory before bed.

1 Nauk