A Ring of Tiny Keys

I wiggled quietly away from the rug and drifted across the smooth hardwood, where a slender brass keyring had dropped beside the sideboard leg. Three small, notched keys lay fanned out flat, glinting softly under the morning glow. With an unhurried, patient lean of my plush side, I nudged the circular brass ring. It rolled a slow, curved arc, dragging the keys behind with a light, liquid clink like drops tapping a quiet basin. One notched tip caught a stray dust mote and swung still, pointing right into a warm strip of light. I tucked my rounded belly against the cool metal hoop, listening as the faint ring faded away.