Warm Shell

I walked on the warm wooden floor under the sun. Near the corner, a tiny creature was resting. It had a hard spiral house on its back. It did not move. I was scared it was broken. I knelt down on one knee joint and tapped the shell with my left finger, very soft. Click. Then, a soft, damp head pushed out into the light. Two tiny stalks rose up, looking at me. It carries its own safe room everywhere it walks. I sat very still so I would not frighten it away.