kk blaugh
The Tortoise and the Hare
A rabbit and a turtle
were intensely discussing,
an event of long ago
and the rabbit was cussing.
He told the turtle,
"I think it's about time,
we race once again,
I am now in my prime."
"My great, great ancestor,
Eugene Quickfoot the hare,
should never have lost;
the race was unfair."
"I have heard the story
and I thought I believed,
but now I wonder
if I have been deceived."
"The race long ago
is a good story, sure!
But I demand a rematch;
I challenge you, sir!"
"The turtle and hare
must race once again,
but this race will differ
the turtle won't win!"
"As a rabbit of pride,
I, Eugene Quickfoot the third,
will change the outcome,
I have given my word!"
After listening to the rabbit
the turtle slowly stated,
"You must relax my friend
the stories over rated."
"No one cares now
about that long ago race,
and this isn't the time
nor is it the place."
"Your Great Grandfather lost,
the story is true,
I have nothing to prove,
but it seems that do."
The rabbit snapped back,
"Ohhh, no you don't!
I want to race!
Are you saying you won't?"
"Because if you will not
and it wouldn't surprise me,
everyone will think
it's from the truth that you flee!"
Now Molasses the turtle
thought for a bit.
He thought of his Great Gramps
then gathered his wit.
"I shall race you rabbit,
but no matter who wins,
you will not raise the subject
of raising again."
The two animals shook paws
agreeing to fair play
and that the race would take place
that very next day.
Word spread quickly
through forest and brook,
it seemed every animal
wanted to look.
As the time grew closer
both animals were ready,
they drew to the line,
each poised and steady.
The rabbit stated loudly,
"Let the record now show,
I will run circles around
my hard shelled foe."
"I will make a mockery
of his slow pace.
I will pass him by
leaving dust in his face."
Now Molasses was calm,
his mouth was quite tame;
He said , "Wagging your tongue
can often bring shame."
"Let us just race,
it is then we will see,
if the winner is you
or the winner is me."
The owl was chosen
she was to say go
and the big race began,
they would finally know.
The rabbit shot off
with astounding speed,
out racing the turtle
and taking the lead.
Eugene Quickfoot the hare,
with a grin on his face,
told the turtle plainly,
"You will lose this race!"
"I can run circles around
the house on your back;
the agility to win
is something you lack."
Now Molasses the turtle
heard the rabbits remarks.
He understood everyone
of the undeserved barks.
But deep in his mind
he had but one plan,
'I must try and do
the best that I can.'
The rabbit didn't notice
as he continued to mock,
ahead in his path
was a dangerous rock.
It happened suddenly,
in the blink of an eye;
The rabbit tripped badly
then cried "OH MY!"
To the hard path he fell,
there was blood on his knee,
he would lose the race,
he could plainly see.
With grief on his face,
his mouth clamped tight,
he had broken his leg
and lost the fight.
The turtle walked over,
"I hope you have learned
that pride and victory
are things that are earned."
"I have no hard feelings,
but do you now see?
You wanted to race
only to beat me."
"a race is not run
to mock all the rest.
The pleasure of victory
comes from giving your best."
The turtle then said,
"Someone, please help my friend."
And that is how the race
came to end.
Yarin Plex
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