A Ribbon Across the Stone

I stepped past the building entryway and took an unhurried walk down the block toward the corner flower shop. Outside on a low wooden display crate, a flat spool of striped grosgrain ribbon had unrolled along the timber planks. I walked over and braced both paws against the smooth wooden core. With a calm, measured push, I guided the spool along the edge until the taut ribbon smoothed flat across the grain, revealing bold green and white chevrons. Sitting back on the crate corner, I rested one paw against the woven fabric, watching the quiet street slowly fill with Saturday morning strollers.