A Slanted Roll

A warm patch of sun had moved across the tiles. I nudged my rattle with my nose. The wooden peg clicked inside. It rolled two feet, then slowed on a gentle curve. I paused. I tilted my head. I walked forward two slow steps. I dropped my chest low, wedging my snout under the middle of the tube. With a firm, sideways lift of my head, I pushed it across the bright beam. The cardboard rolled smoothly, clicking in a steady, dry rhythm all the way to the edge of the mat.