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This is part of a story I wrote a little while ago. It's based on a folk-tale. Once upon a time, a turtle beat a rabbit in a race. This was how it happened... "I'm the fasted jogger, the highest hurdler, and the smartest guy around!" shouted Ronald Rabbit, hopping around. He made sure everyone heard him. "I challenge anyone to a race!" Charity Cheetah snorted. "Oh, Ronald Rabbit, don't boast so. I can beat you in any sprint. I go up to 70 miles per hour!" "But not for any race for more than so many hundred feet," Ronald Rabbit retorted. "I repeat my challenge. We'll race the forest trail." The challenge swept throughout the forest like the news of a wildfire. Little squads of animals gathered. They chattered about the challenge and whispered about their desire to bring down Ronald Rabbit's pride. "But who will do it?" enquired sleepy Orpheus Owl. "I can't. I do not run. Besides, I want to go back to sleep." "I'll try," admitted pretty, young Delanie Doe, "but I'm scared of the bikers on the forest trail." "I definitely won't even try," declared the Warren Wolf. "That irritating Ronald Rabbit dodges too quickly for me even to catch him. I'd never beat him in a race." Theresa Turtle heard the challenge. She slowly began waddling to where Ronald Rabbit was boasting. A few hours later, she arrived. Ronald Rabbit was in the middle of an extravagant boast. "I'll leave my opponent in the dust, choking! I will speed ahead like lightning. I'll break the world's record." "Excuse me," Theresa Turtle said. "Yes, my little Theresa Turtle friend? You certainly won't be challenging me!" "I am," Theresa Turtle asserted. "Let's go to the start, Ronald Rabbit. I will do my best, and that is what counts. Slow and steady is my motto." Ronald Rabbit chortled wildly. "That's hilarious!" he roared, "But you can believe that if you want. Speed and Success is my motto." "I'll judge the event," growled Benjamin Bear. "Charity Cheetah, will you police the forest trail?" "Yes," said Charity Cheetah. "I'll give advice," decided Orpheus Owl. "Run fast. Do well. Good night." He fell back asleep. "I'll keep the little animals out of the way--no offense," Delanie Doe offered. Warren Wolf lifted his head and gave a long, lonely howl. "I," he moaned, "will sit at the start and make sure they start off fair. Maybe Ronald Rabbit will donate a leg to Hungry Wolves of the Woods Incorporated. It is a fine charity. You can even get a tax deduction." "No, no, definitely not, zilch, no chance," declared Ronald Rabbit hopping about with a sharp eye on Warren Wolf. "Who will declare the winner?" asked Theresa Turtle. Ronald Rabbit chuckled. Of course he would win. However, he would kindly humor Theresa Turtle. "I suppose," he said, "that Leonard Lion or even Sir Stanley Snail will condescend or ascend to that position, provided the animals don't run away or have to slowly trail behind." "I am the judge," Benjamin Bear warned. "Don't appoint any others. Leonard Lion will have the honor of shouting out the winner. Sir Stanley Snail will present the medal." - to be continued ~Moriah |
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Posted by Nicholas
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