The Woven Straw Delivery Basket

I trotted along the wooden porch steps and followed the paved path toward the street corner. Outside, the morning smelled like toasted bread and warm flour. Near the door of the bakery, an overturned woven straw crate rested against the brick wall. I paused, watching the sun make small checkerboard shadows through its open weave. Step by slow step, I trotted over and nosed a stray dried oat stalk sticking out from the side. It snapped with a neat, crisp crack. I tucked my front paws onto the firm straw rim and sat quietly, watching neighborhood shoes walk by.