And then the world changed again, as it so often does, as an evening wound up the day and prepared to lay it to rest. With fear and a quivering voice the little snail told the beautiful butterfly about his deepest desire to reach the sun-warmed tops of the fence. He told her, too, of the angry boy who had for so long come to knock him down each day, and how these moments had piled up and up until his heart could no longer see beyond them. As his tale unfolded he began to weep, though his tears were stifled much more than he truly wanted to cry. His heart pounded and he wished so much to break free and fly from his shell and rise into the air with his beautiful butterfly friend.
“Sweet snail,” she said in her soft pretty voice, “such obstacles as these must surely hurt so deep inside. The pain you suffer is great, I can see; but listen please, listen to me” And the snail’s big eyes, all wetted with tears, gave a sob and a sniffle before whispering “I’m all ears”. His butterfly friend softly said with a smile, “All this hurt you’ve endured by the strength of your shell, it’s protected your tenderness and it’s done it so well. But there must come a time and there must be a day when you no longer need to hide”.
The little snail sniffled and shuffled around as he thought of the reasons why he should not try anymore. “It’ll hurt, though” he said, “and I’ll fail again. We snails don’t grow up to be butterflies, after all!” His eyes were all wide, and the little butterfly could see that although he had fear, he had strength also inside. “This will certainly be tough, and it might even hurt, but every step will be worth it, you’ll see. I will help if you try; I’ll encourage you on, from the bottom to top of wherever you want to go! And as for your wings-don’t sell yourself short! Mother nature might have other plans for you!”
Then a big green grin spread across the snail’s little face, and a warm spot glowed in his heart. “With your help I will try, though I’m afraid of what might come, but maybe I can get me some of that sun!”
Little by little they practiced together, they talked and they tried, they smiled and they cried, but with little steps a progress began to be made. Summer was wearing, and a day came when the little snail pushed and struggled and climbed up those big plants, aiming for his favorite leaves. “You can do it! Come up here with me, my sweet friend!” said the pretty, sweet butterfly as her yellowy ruffles fluttered in the wind. “I can see you! I’m close! I can see all those beautiful, scrumptious leaves just waiting for me!” And when finally he arrived they both cried in cheers, for a very big progress was made. “I think I can do it someday” said the snail, as he glanced at the sun high on the wall. I can make it, I think, as long as you’re here by my side!” Then a moment of warmth passed over them both, and the snail slipped a little further out of his shell to hug that sweet butterfly friend.