The Big Race

Story and Photography by MYG (3) – January 2010

One sunny day the animals decided to have a race to see who could get to the other side of the lake and win a bouquet of purple flowers. The prize was donated by the brown mud hippo, Lazy Larry. Lazy Larry was too lazy to be in the race so he was the person who got to say ‘You Win‘ when the race was done.

Mr. Sturgeon was the one who announced ‘Ready, Set, Go‘ at the start of the race. Mr. Sturgeon, who would think was a sturgeon, is actually an orange clown fish.

And finally, the contestants:

Uncle John, a spotted bullfrog,

Whiskers, a brown sea otter,

Banana, a pink monkey,

Puff Puff, a white duck,

Mud Puddle, a daisy tortoise and

Leaf, a green caterpillar, who is just a caterpillar.

All the animals were determined that they were going to win the race.

The animals started fighting about who would win the race – all except for Leaf and Mud Puddle. They just waited.

When Mr. Sturgeon said, “On your mark, get set, go!” only Leaf and Mud Puddle heard him because all the other animals were fighting.

Uncle John was croaking, “I am a bullfrog so I can just jump over the lake and win.”

Whiskers was squeaking, “I am a sea otter and can swim across the lake and win.”

Banana was chattering, “I am a monkey and can swing across the lake to win.”

Puff Puff was quacking, “I am a duck and can fly over the lake and win.”

While the animals were jabbering, Leaf and Mud Puddle teamed up to get across the lake. Leaf climbed on Mud Puddle and Mud Puddle swam across the lake. They went safely to the other side.

Lazy Larry announced that Leaf and Mud Puddle were the winners.

“Here is the bouquet of purple flowers,” Lazy Larry said as he handed the flowers to Mud Puddle and Leaf.

Leaf and Mud Puddle proudly took their prize. Then they chomped on the flowers and leaves for an hour while the other animals were still on the other side fighting.

Lazy Larry decided to have a nap.

When the other animals finally noticed they said, “How could they get to the other side? They are so slow.” And they said, “How could they beat me? I am so fast!”

Leaf and Mud Puddle just grinned and grinned and Lazy Larry snored.

Moral: Don’t fight. Just get it done.