The Snail Prince

 

Chapter One

 

Tom woke up with a start. He stretched and yawned on the bed. He was uncertain of how the day would go and he had no worries. He has dedicated parents. They have fared well in handling their poor son. He attends a school that befits the status of his family. His rations were never reduced. Tom and his parents live in the middle estate of life where people are neither rich nor poor. He had no reason to be gloomy and exist like a terrible creature. He was scrawny, as dark as midnight and his head was like an egg. Tom was a miniature version of his father who walks as if he is unable to hurt a fly!

As the birds were singing aloud, he drew the curtain and looked out of the window. His large innocent eyes traveled round the countryside. There were trees in their rows separated by inches or meters. The dusty roads littered with dry leaves. Houses are either begging for renovation or in a good state. And a sweet blend of nature and civilization paraded the streets. Nothing was out of place. No commotion and there was no disturbance. This was beauty at the heart of civilization.

There was a clear sky and the beautiful morning was like the best day of his life. The boy rolled out of bed. He threw his tiny feet in his slippers and his nightwear still hung over his body. He stretched his body once again as if he had a very long night and made for the door. Tom walked out of the room, slammed the door behind him, and carried himself to the sitting room. His mum and dad were awake, cleaning the house. "Good morning, Mum and Dad," Tom greeted and sat on a chair beside his mother. She was busy brushing out cobwebs in the dusty corners. Sweat was pouring off her as if she had come out of a pool. In the human world, strange things abound. A man's sweat could actually become a river and carry him away.

"Good morning, my boy," his father replied and smiled. "How was your night?"

"Great, Daddy!" Tom said.

"I am happy for you, Tom." His mother placed her hand on his head. "Will you go to the stream today?" she asked.

The boy raised his head. "Yes, if you want me to go." Tom raised an eyebrow, "Mum, Dad, last night I dreamt that I killed a big rat on my way to the stream!"

His mother smiled and nodded. "It's a good dream. You could be lucky today. As you know, we are in the rainy season. If you pick enough snails at the stream, I will prepare your best soup for you. I promise!"

Tom dreamed of the snail soup and licked his lower lip. "Okay! That's not a bad idea," he responded. The boy rose to his feet. "Please, I want to check my dog," he told his parents.

"You can go!" his father raised his head and said. The rug was dirty and there was no better time than this to clean up the mess.

Thick cobwebs still hung in the dusty corners. As the boy walked away, his mother grabbed her broom and went back to work.

 

 

Chapter Two

 

Tom had a dog-called Fred. The dog has a short tail and grey fur. Fred lived in a kennel and enjoyed going to the stream with his little master, Tom. The dog was alone when the boy came to the kennel. Seeing his young master, Fred wagged its tail and jumped on him. Tom rubbed its head. "Hope you enjoyed your night?" he asked.

There was no answer.

The way the dog wagged its tail and played with the master showed that the going was good. Tom took it for a yes.

"I have so much to do today. Come with me!" the boy told the dog and faced the way he had come. As if the dog knew what the master had said, it followed Tom into the building.

Tom walked into the sitting room with his pet by his side to meet his busy parents. "Mum, can I wash the dishes before going to the stream?" he asked as soon as he was close enough.

She raised her head and wiped the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand. "No, Tom. I will take care of them. The taps are not running. So we need water for washing. Get your dirty clothes to the backyard and run to the stream to fetch some water."

"Okay, Mum!" Tom smiled and walked to his room with his dog beside him.

After a time, he came out of the room with his dirty clothes. They almost weighed him down as he walked. He took them to the backyard and placed the clothes in a bucket. There was an empty water pot beside the bucket. Tom grabbed it. He placed the water pot on his head and left for the stream with Fred by his side wagging his tail as they went.