The Snail Standoff

I pushed past the heavy front door flap to check on my outdoor empire, stomping right onto the sunny flagstones. Right there, glued to a smooth river pebble, was a tiny creature dragging a swirl-shell house on its back! Grrr! I puffed out my round belly, squared my stubby arms, and let out a fierce monster growl to assert my territory. The snail didn't even blink—it just slowly poked two squiggly antenna eyes straight up at my chin. A cheerful snicker burst from my mouth! Since it refused to flee, I knelt down, picked up a crisp brown leaf, and laid it down right across its path like a royal welcome bridge.