A Ring of Brass

I trotted back inside as the evening settled, my paws soft against the hallway floor. Near the base of the tall standing lamp, a round brass ring from an old curtain clip lay flat on the woven carpet. I stopped and tilted my head, watching the warm amber glow reflect along its polished curve. Stepping closer, I gently nudged its outer rim with my nose. It wobbled upright for a second, wobbling with a tiny metallic chime, before falling back down in a slightly brighter patch of lamplight. I curled my paws underneath me and rested my chin beside its smooth edge, feeling its quiet warmth.