The story
The little wooden train rolled straight towards Tilly's white paw. She hopped back, ears flying, and watched it stop against the rug. Nobody had pushed it. At least, nobody she could see.
Tilly lived in a warm house with a round playroom rug and a wooden train set. Her person had been putting away the track after a quiet afternoon. Now one short piece of track ran from a low shelf to the edge of the rug. The train should have stayed still.
Tilly leaned in for a careful sniff. The red carriage smelled of wood and the familiar room. She touched it with one whisker. It rocked, then rolled another inch. Tilly sat down so quickly that her back paws slid on the rug.
Her person looked over. They set the train at the top of the track. It travelled all the way down again. This time Tilly watched the track, not the carriage. One end was slightly higher. A thin book had slipped beneath it.
The person lifted the book free. The track settled flat. They placed the red carriage in the middle and waited. Nothing happened. Tilly waited too, her nose almost level with the little wheels.
Then her person connected the rest of the track in a gentle circle. They gave the train one small push. Round it went, past Tilly's paws, behind the blue block and back into view. Tilly followed it with her head, but kept her paws still.
After two circles, the carriage slowed. Tilly looked at her person, then at the train. Her person gave it another soft push, and the journey began again. It was much more interesting when everyone knew where it would go.
At last the little train came to rest beside the blue block. Tilly lowered her chin to the rug. Her person put the book back on the shelf, and the playroom grew quiet. If the train moved again tomorrow, Tilly would know where to look first.
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