🐌 Pebble and the Snail's House

After the rain, Pebble the kitten went out to explore. The garden smelled fresh and green. On a wet leaf, she found something curious: a small, swirly shell, moving very, very slowly.

Pebble reached out a paw. Two little stalks popped up from under the shell, with eyes on the ends. "Oh!" said Pebble. "You're alive!"

"Of course I am," said the snail. "My name is Twirl. This is my house. I carry it everywhere."

Pebble was amazed. "You take your house with you? Even to the shops?" Twirl giggled. "There aren't any shops for snails. But yes, wherever I go, my house comes too. If I get tired, I just pop inside."

"I wish I could take my house with me," said Pebble. "Then I could nap anywhere!" She tried to curl up into a ball as round as a shell. Her tail stuck out. Her ears stuck out. Her paws stuck out.

Twirl laughed. "You make a fine fluffy ball. But maybe your house is better where it is, with your warm basket inside."

Pebble agreed. She waited while Twirl slid slowly along the leaf, leaving a shiny silver trail. Then she walked home with careful steps, making sure not to tread on any other tiny houses.