Armor

"My shell is the best armor in the world. Being made out of super strong calcium carbonate, it's broken several bird beaks," said the snail.

The turtle replied, "The shell's the strongest armor. If fends off attacks from panthers, bears, and python's constrictions."

"Oh my," spoke the alligator, "Your hide must be very weak then. As my scales are like layered pieces of chainmail, deflecting any attack, even from my own kind."

"I feel sorry for you," the three turned their attention towards the slug on the tree. "You boast about your armor, but deep down you're afraid."

"WHAT?!" They couldn't believe the incredulous audacity of this exposed freak to speak to them in such a manner.

"Your armor protects you physically, but you never take it off metaphorically. It's become your proverbial shield to hide behind. When others hurt you, you think your hide is tough, but really you're just nurturing bruises underneath that have damaged more than just your ego, more than just your sense of self."

Clawing his way up the trees bark, lifting his belly off the ground, the alligator tried reaching the interjector, "If you're so strong why hide away from weaklings such as us, then?"

"I understand the threat that you present to me and my life. So, I am cautious. There's a difference between allowing oneself to be vulnerable, and being forced to become vulnerable."

With that, he crawled away into the tree.