Snail slid onto the country path beside the railway. “Chug-chug!” A train rushed past, wheels clattering beside the wet grass.
Rain began to patter on the rail and tap Snail’s shell. Snail stayed still, watching silver drops bounce from the passing train.
When the train moved on, Snail followed beside the railway. A wide puddle blocked the path, so Snail edged around it—and slipped in with a tiny splash.
Snail climbed onto a leaf to dry off. A bright letter A floated nearby. “Ai!” said Snail, as the leaf began spinning like a little boat.
A gust sent the leaf rolling toward the rail. Snail caught a blade of grass just in time. The train thundered past, and the letter A flew onto Snail’s shell.
The rain stopped. Snail crawled from beneath the leaf and found the letter A shining on the shell.
The train disappeared around the bend. Snail watched the empty rails sparkle, then turned toward the country path.
Snail followed the sparkling rail down the country path. The bright letter A gleamed with every slow, shining slide.
