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What the Snails Know

Contemplation This is not the author’s original text. It’s a creative AI rendition, offered with the author’s permission.
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A man spent twenty-five years arriving at destinations that felt empty. Then a phone call, some children who chose not to eat, and 150 rescued animals slowly taught him what he had been missing.

He learned it first from snails. Strong plants, rooted in healthy soil, go untouched. It is only the weakened ones the snails consume. So he stopped asking how to fight the snails — in his garden, in the world — and began asking instead: what does this need to grow stronger?

The animals confirmed it another way. They will not come to you when you are performing. Only when you are truly present do they move toward you, curious, unhurried.

"The present moment is everything you need," he learned to believe. Not as philosophy, but as something the horses showed him, again and again, by simply walking away.

The hard way, walked long enough, becomes the easy way.

Sit with this: Where in your life are you fighting the snails — and what might be asking instead to be strengthened?

Andreas Nussbaumer and his wife Elisabeth steward Hof-Sonnenweide, a sanctuary for some 150 rescued farm animals in Weppersdorf, Austria, and co-host the podcast Lass die Sau raus ("Let the Sow Out"). This story emerged from a DailyGood Story Booth conversation in August 2026, hosted by animal communication facilitator and author, Kerri Lake.

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COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

8 PAST RESPONSES

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Patricia Aug 25, 2026
This is a beautiful story and the way you tell it is beautiful too. I am not surprised you are so happy and content,in spite of the state that the world is in. In fact ,through your happiness and the love that you give out freely,and the love that the animals return to you,you are contributing to the coming of a better world: the only thing that our world needs,like the Beatles once said,is Love. Every time we put love in action we get into a higher vibration and this vibration ,multiplied by thousands,is what elevates the world. Compassion is needed,and prayers for the best of all beings certainly,but every little bit of love-in-action and presence-in-action is needed for a New Earth to set in.This world will not be changed by material things but by ourselves elevating our level of consciousness, getting more and more loving towards our human brethren but also all sentient beings on Earth and of course animals who,Ihave always thought,are great teachers as you say.By the way,what y... [View Full Comment]
Reply 1 reply: Andy
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Andy Aug 25, 2026
Thank you Patricia! Blessings back to Caledonia :)
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Michelle Aug 24, 2026
Beautiful story! It's so true how nature can teach us so much and interactions with other, people, animals, plants are what life is all about.
Reply 1 reply: Andy
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Andy Aug 25, 2026
Thank you Michelle! Greetings from the farm and all the animals!
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David Feldman Aug 24, 2026
On a small scale my wife and I have been living this kind of life for the past few decades. Our home and 3 acre property has morphed into a sanctuary for a variety of domestic and wild animals who find their way here. Dogs, horses, chickens, ducks, wild turkeys and a variety of other beings who show up. What a wonderful privilege to live this kind of life
Reply 1 reply: Andy
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Andy Aug 25, 2026
Thank you David! Greetings from sanctuary to sanctuary :)
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Kristin Pedemonti Aug 24, 2026
Thank you for reminding us the power of calm presence, of focusing on what we can do and on letting the snails go.
Reply 1 reply: Andy
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Andy Aug 25, 2026
Thank you Kristin! Greetings from the farm and all the animals!