A Bouncy Polar Slide

Slipping past the open front door was easy after my umbrella slide, but the long apartment hallway presented a brand-new mountain: a runner of thick grey ribbed carpet! Waddling over that textured fabric felt like hiking across tundra. Halfway toward the stairwell, I spotted an abandoned bright pink tennis ball wedged against the wall trim. Naturally, my tummy demanded a taste test to see if it hid any briny snacks inside. I gave it a hefty nudge with my beak, and the sphere bounced loose with a loud thump! It rolled down two shallow carpeted steps, and I hopped after it, using its fuzzy curve to cushion my belly slide.