A young man was orphaned since he was a child. He had no relatives, but an elderly couple took pity on him, and rented him a little house on their property, in exchange for his working in their fields after his daily job as a clerk to the local magistrate.

One night, as he was returning from the fields, he saw the moonlight bouncing off an object on the country path. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a beautiful pearlescent shell of a very large snail. Thinking this was a good omen, the young man brought it home, and put the snail in a large earthenware pot, together with leaves and water for its sustenance.
The next day, when e returned from his labors, he found a sumptuous meal awaiting him. His house was neat as a pin, and flowers adorned the tablel. Thinking it was his landlady doing him a good turn, he hurried to thank her. However, she insisted she knew nothing about this strange turn of events. He grew even more mystified as this incident repeated itself day after day.

Finally, after several weeks, he could bear the suspense no longer. After leaving for work at the usual hour, he crept back stealthily, and waited in the bushes outside his house. All of a sudden, the top of the earthenware pot flew off, and there emerged the most beautiful maiden he had ever seen. As he watched, she set about cooking and cleaning his house, stopping only to acknowledge the butterflies that were drawn to her scent. Finally, he could stand it no longer, and leapt out of his hiding place. Startled, the young girl dashed for the earthenware pot, but was cut off by him.

“I mean you no harm,” he said gently. “Who are you?” “My name is White Wave,” she relied. “I am the snail fairy, sent by the gods to look after you and tend to your needs. I was supposed to stay till you found a wife, but now that you have seen me, I must go immediately. But I promise you, before long, you will achieve great success in life, and you will find that one true love, and you shall grow old together.”

Without another word, she vanished into thin air. But her prophecy came true. The young man was promoted to a high position, and a match was made with a beautiful young woman, who turned out to be his perfect soulmate.