A Crisp Wooden Clip

I padded onto the cool counter where the morning light cuts behind the bread box. Propped against a ceramic canister, a springy bamboo toast tong was standing on its tips like an open wooden beak. I stretched up on my hind toes and tapped the banded joint with both front paws. It gave a soft, springy shudder and snapped shut with a hollow *clack*! The sudden pinch startled me into a tiny hop, but seeing it spring gently back open made my tail curl with delight. I nudged a dry breadcrumb between its tips just to watch it hold tight.