The Bookend Hollow

I waddled back home from the windy marina and hopped straight onto the quiet lower bookshelf! Tucked between a row of hardcovers and a heavy cast-iron owl bookend, I spotted a folded strip of thick grey felt padding that had slipped loose. With a bouncy chitter, I leaned my plush belly forward and gave the stiff felt a firm nudge with both feet. Squeak-slide! It folded into an accordion arc, forming a snug little velvet archway right beside the cool iron feathers. I wiggled my round bottom right into the soft pocket, leaning my leafy top against the dark spine of a poetry book while the living room lamp cast a warm, sleepy glow over my secret nook.