Why Snails Come Out During the Rain

There was once a kingdom within a snail’s shell whose king forbade his subjects to make

music of any kind. Anyone who disobeyed this order would be thrown out of the shell into an ether that was rumored to be the darkest and quietest place in the universe. There was no way to hide one’s music, because the shell was a place that very easily echoed. So, the people buried their instruments underneath the floors of their huts and forced their children to eat dirt if they dared utter a note of song.

One day, a brave girl and her brother crept to the edge of their shell realm and spoke to the snail. They said, “Dear Wise Mother Snail, our people are sad because our king doesn’t let us make any music. If you help us, we would be very grateful.”

The snail thought, and then she said, “Very well, my children. I will find a way.” When the people woke up the next morning, they heard some very strange sounds. Pitter patter pitter patter. When they went outside their huts, they were ankle-deep in water. And when they turned to each other to speak, they could only hear those who were very close to them. The girl and boy who had spoken to the snail were among those who were experiencing this new phenomenon. For a moment, they were both confused. Then, the girl smiled and ushered her brother inside their hut. Quickly, before their mother could find them, they unearthed the instruments from underneath the floorboards.

When the mother returned, she found her children blowing into the instruments. She was astonished. There hadn’t been any sounds of music from outside!

The children put down their instruments and explained what the snail had done for them. Then all three of them ran out of the hut to tell everyone else in the village that they were free at last! For as long as the rain lasted, they could make music without being heard by the king and his guards.

A great music festival took place for the next few days, until finally the rain stopped and all the instruments were buried once again underneath the huts. The people were happy as this happened every year for many years. Then, something odd happened. The rain did not come when they expected it. The next year, the rain didn’t come either. After ten years without rain, the people ceased to smile and barely spoke to one another.

By this time, the girl and boy who had helped bring music back to their people were very old. Still, they managed the trek to the edge of the shell realm and spoke to the snail in wispy voices, saying, “Dear Wise Mother Snail, our people are sad because there is no more rain and we cannot make music. If you help us, we would be very grateful.”

The snail thought, and then she said, “I am sorry, my children. There is no rain. There has not been rain for years. When the rain returns, you will know about it.” She said no more, so the old woman and her brother went back to their village. A year passed, and then another. During this time, the old woman and her brother became weaker and weaker. Their lungs thinned like bowstrings and their bones became brittle. Finally, the people awoke to the familiar pitter patter pitter patter. The villagers rejoiced, because they had almost reached a state of despair in the silence of their kingdom. Alas, it was too late for the old woman and her brother, who had breathed their last breaths a few moments before the rain began. Yet every year it rained, they were brought back to life in songs.

And that is why we who walk upon the earth must do our part in making sure the rain returns, for somewhere nearby, in a little kingdom within a snail’s shell, there are people waiting to make music without fear.

PROSE

Emily Maremont, '25