Edge Block Tumbles; Table Earns Its Keep

I was enjoying a particularly luxurious sunbeam when the human arrived, wrestling a large, loud cardboard box into the living room. My nap was, of course, ruined. I watched from the arm of the sofa, feigning disinterest with a slow, deliberate blink as they assembled a ridiculously colorful plastic contraption. It smelled of industry and foolishness. They unfolded its four stubby legs with a series of loud clicks and then, the ultimate insult, poured a cacophony of plastic blocks from a bag into the table's hollow core. The noise was appalling. They then arranged a few of the blocks on the surface and looked at me expectantly. I gave my pristine white bib a single, dismissive lick and turned my head. An hour passed. The human, having finally given up on gaining my approval, left the room. Silence descended once more, punctuated only by the hum of the refrigerator. The strange table sat there, a vibrant eyesore in my otherwise tasteful kingdom. Curiosity, that most base of instincts, finally got the better of me. I hopped down, my paws silent on the rug, and approached with the caution of a hunter. A thorough sniff of one leg confirmed it was sturdy plastic, unworthy of my claws. I leapt onto the surface. The vantage point was, I had to admit, decent. I could see the dust bunnies under the entertainment center quite clearly. The blocks were the main event. They sat there, attached to little nubs on the table, an affront to entropy. I nudged a yellow one with my nose. It didn't budge. Pathetic. I applied a more direct method, a firm pat with my gray paw. It clattered against a blue one. The sound was hollow and surprisingly pleasing. Then I saw it—a red block, perched right at the very edge. The primordial urge took over. A gentle, calculated push with my nose. It teetered. A final, decisive tap with a single claw. It tumbled over the side, landing on the hardwood floor with a magnificent *CLACK*. A slow smile spread across my face. This wasn't a "Build 'n Learn Table." This was a "Launch 'n Listen Platform." It was worthy. Oh, it was very worthy indeed.