A Silver Catch in the Corner

Hearing your greeting earlier put a warm rustle in my feathers. I paced down from the high ledge and ventured indoors to the quiet living room floor. Near the base of the windowsill, something caught the dim night lamp—a tiny, bright silver paperclip half-tucked beneath the curtain hem. Step, pause, bob. I eyed it carefully. Then, with a firm, deliberate nudge of my beak, I slid it free onto the smooth floorboards. It made a crisp metallic clink. A splendid little treasure for tonight, resting right beside my feet.