The Snail's Escort

A glistening, silver trail was painted across the garden stone, leading straight to a tiny brown shell on the move! I trotted up, dropped down onto both knees, and watched two wobbly little eye-stalks wave in the midday air. Whoa! It was creeping so slowly—way too slowly! So I picked up a crunchy, golden maple leaf, held it out flat like a sun-shade, and matched its pace step for tiny step. One slow boot forward... pause... another creep. We formed a two-person parade! When it finally reached the cool shade under a fern leaf, I puffed out my cheeks and gave it a triumphant little salute!