A Dinner Tale As told by Arty the Birthday Snail

One day I woke up from a long nap. I was very hungry. I said to myself, "Self, I am very hungry. I wonder if there is anything to eat?" I looked around, but there was nothing to eat, so I began to search for food.

I walked and walked, but there was no food anywhere to be found.

After a while, I passed Snooble, but didn't say anything to him because he was sleeping.

Then I decided to look inside the cave. But all I saw there was Zippy. I said to my friend, "Hello, Zippy," tipped my shell, and asked, "Is there any food here?" 

But Zippy said, "No. I am sorry. I have no food for you to eat. Can you help me find some food? Suppertime will soon be upon us." I left the cave, saying, "I shall find some food for us." I then kept walking around and found Herbert. "Hello, Herbert," I said, as I tipped my shell. "I have walked the four corners of the aquarium in search of food. Is there any food here?" 

But Herbert said, "No, and I am soooo hungry. Where is all the food?"

I comforted Herbert , saying, "I shall find some food for us." Since I had searched low, I decided to search high.

I then began the mighty climb up the wall of the aquarium.

As I climbed higher and higher and thought of all of my snail friends below, I began to feel a bit lonely.   

But soon my fish friends swam by, and they said, "Greetings, Arty! How nice to see you up here." I was very happy to see my fish friends.

I felt a burst of energy in my shell and kept moving upward, inching higher. Finally, I reached the water's edge and could feel the small waves lapping against my yellow shell. 

I poked my head above the water, and do you know what I found?

I saw a floating piece of lettuce! It was big, and green, and very leafy!

I said to myself, "Self, I bet my two nice owners left this tasty feast for us to eat! I can share this food with my friends!" So, I reached out and grabbed the big leafy lettuce with the front part of my foot. 

Finally I had a good hold, so I pushed off the glass wall and parachuted down to the bottom of the tank. As I floated down, I had a great view, and all of my friends saw me with the big leafy lettuce.

It took me so long to float down, that all of my friends, including Sneat and Snooble, were gathered to greet me by the time my foot reached the gravel bottom of our tank. 

Everyone cheered and we all feasted on the big leafy lettuce.

And a good time was had by all. 

The End.

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Ruby Lane

Antiques & Collectibles

Copyright © M. Dougherty 2002