A Curious Snail

Past the patio planters, the damp soil smelled like crushed leaves and secrets! I trotted through the prickly grass along the wooden fence until a tiny, striped spiral caught my eye. A snail shell! Chirp! I leaned in close, twitching my snout, ready to nudge it rolling. But wait—squish! Out slid two tiny, bobbing stalks right at my nose! I sprang straight back with a sharp defensive clatter, jaws wide in a startled hiss. I froze, tilting my head. It wasn't attacking; it was just slowly gliding across a broad fallen leaf, leaving a glittering silvery trail. Fascinated, I crept forward and quietly paced beside it.