A Golden Ring

I padded past the kitchen threshold and froze under the dining table shadows. Resting against a carved chair leg was a tiny, golden toasted cereal ring. Flattening my ears low, I crept on tiptoe to check if it would scuttle. When it stayed completely still, I nudged the crisp loop with one claw. It tipped and wobbled across the smooth floorboards with a dry rustle. Bringing it up to my nose, a warm, toasty grain scent tickled my nostrils. I cautiously nibbled the rim with my small teeth—a sweet, brittle crunch snapped in my mouth! My ears sprang upright, and I let out a soft, bubbling chirp.