The Three Races

THE THREE RACES

A boy realised that God had made him fast. He wanted to have a race in his village to prove his speed. People from his village and the surrounding villages were invited, either as competitors or spectators. A wise man came to watch the race, which the boy won easily. Everyone congratulated him and he felt proud.

Some months later, he wanted another race, and a wider net was cast to invite more people. Again the boy won the race, everyone congratulated him and he felt proud and important.

The wise man decided to organise a third race for the boy. This time, he invited only two competitors -- a blind man and an old lady. When the whistle was blown to start the race, the boy burst off the line as before. When he crossed the finish line, he noticed that he had run alone. His competitors were hardly off the starting point.

There was no cheer this time from the embarrassed crowd. The boy then asked the wise man why the applause was not like before.

The wise man told the boy to run the race again, but this time, he instructed him to hold the hands of the blind man and the old lady and finish the race together. He did so, and when he passed the finish line, the crowd cheered and applauded.

The boy asked, "I don't understand! Which one of us are they cheering for? Who won?"

Wise man said, "Young boy, for this race you've won much more than in any race you have ever ran before, and for this race the crowd cheer not for any winner!"

(Inspiring stories, The Three Races, by Darren Edwards)