original story appeared in Fur Fun ebook, and revised edition here will be published as illustrated children's book from RieNewell Press

Since Susie Snail was so small, she couldn’t stay in step
with some creatures in the Sutherlands’ garden. They
called her “slowpoke” and snickered behind her shell.

One sunny Saturday, Susie slipped away to sit silently in
a sycamore tree’s shade. She sniffed, feeling somewhat
sorry for herself.

Sally Ann Salamander sidled up to Susie saying, “Smile,
Susie! It’s Saturday, and Stevie Squirrel has scheduled a
scavenger hunt. It should be super fun.”


Susie sighed. “I suppose I should sit still. They’d simply
say I was slowing everyone down.”

Soon Samantha Spider slid down a silken strand, to
swing from side to side before Susie. “You sure are
missing some fun!” she said. “Have you seen a silver
sequin somewhere?”

Susie smiled shyly. “I should have some saved from last
summer’s surprise party. Let me see.” She slipped inside
her shell and soon showed Samantha a shiny circle. “Is
this suitable?”

Samantha squealed, “Certainly! It’s swell. Thank you so
much, Susie.” She snatched the sequin and scrambled
away.

Susie sensed a slight surge of spirits, and slowly slid
where she could see the scavengers scampering about.


Sarah Sparrow swooped in to settle beside Susie. “Save
me!” she screeched, with a swish of a satiny wing. “I’m
simply sunk unless I somehow scrape up a scrap of silk.
I don’t suppose you’ve stashed something…?”

“I’m sure I should have something,” Susie said with a
smile. “We’ll soon see.”

Sometime later, she showed Sarah a scarlet silk sash.
“Will this suit?”


“Splendidly!” Sarah shrieked. “You have saved my skin.
You should come and search yourself. You seem to have
several of the items we’re seeking.”

Susie shook her head. “I should stay still. If I sit in one
spot, I won’t slow anyone’s searching.” Her soft words
were sorrowful.

“Say,” soothed Sarah, “suppose I salvage a set of rules
and slip it somewhere you can see it? You can search
for stuff and still stay in one spot!”

“That would be swell!” Susie’s eyes shone.

Sarah sailed back shortly with a six-page list, and Susie
saw that several of the things on Stevie’s search were
stowed in her shell. She slid inside singing, and started
scrounging.

When Sidney Snake signaled the search was over, all
the scavengers stood in the center of the square and
stacked their stuff.

Stevie Squirrel surveyed the sight. “It seems Susie has
shown us something special! She shared her stash and
still scored some super stuff. She’s the Star of the Day.
She surely saved the Scavenger Hunt!”


Susie was so excited! Stevie handed her a shiny silver
star, and she stored it in her shell. For the first time, she
felt like she was special instead of slow.