The Realisation of the Slugs

After the shelled and shelless met when the moon was opal and the sun was pink, both visible in the grey hued sky. A bargain was struck betwixt the two parties. Both shall live as they want in harmony. The shelless to leave the snails to their peace and the snails to leave the shelless to their homeless existence. The shelless beings took a new name and from that moment they were known throughout the lands as ‘slugs’and all became well for a while


But a feeling took hold of some of the slugs as they wandered through the grass living their lives. A feeling of uncertainty, a yen for the old, a need to feel safe. They had no shell to protect them, as before, if danger came they had no smooth home to retreat within. They began to think that maybe they could have the best of both worlds. Play about in the sun without the shell and then return to their homes when they tired of playing. But who can have the best of both worlds in this life. We must have balance and parts that are dark so we understand the light when we witness it.

So with their metaphorical tails betwixt their imaginary legs they returned to the place that their shell lay, abandoned and bereft of their slug bodies. This place where they had cast of their shells leaving them as if they had been burdens of life. But these poor slugs received a shock, shells were found broken, smashed. Other creatures had inhabited the homes they had thrown away so quickly and easily for excitement. Tiny spiders had spun their delicate webs, beetles had scurried into the cracks to keep warm and stayed. Those that found their former limbs in tack, discovered that once they had separated from the shell it was not so easy to recouple with it’s smooth shiny insides. The shell did not recognize the small slimy body of the slug, it did not want to caress it as it once had, cling to it, follow it wherever the former snail had chosen to roam. Now it just stood still, in one place leaving the slug to wander on its own.

These slugs became sad and bitter. When they saw snails cajoling in their lust filled orgies they saw a red haze descend. Jealously filled their slug hearts and took away all the joy and happiness these creatures were supposed to feel. Why should they be happy in their shells when the slugs must do without.

On the surface, however, the slugs danced and smiled and sang and allowed the snails to believe that they were content in their shelless lives. Yet underneath was a different story. A black quagmire of discontent, jealousy and bitterness reigned over the slug’s minds. It undulated and surged allowing trickles to find homes in the deep caverns and passages of their brains. Till one day a slug snapped and the war began.

Here endeth the text