The sun was scorching hot, even under the huge jungle vines and leaves. Under them stood three proud lions. The lions thought of themselves as the most courageous and fearless in the jungle. Lothar was the current leader and had been the leader for the past three years in a row. Each year a competition was held to show who should be the new leader. So that day, they gathered all of the animals for the huge announcement.
“Everyone, everyone. Quiet down,” the head lion, Lothar cried, “ Today will show who the best of the best is. Any animal who wants to join the race and compete for a chance to win a crown, that will show the king of the jungle will race. It is obvious that the lions will be competing, but anyone else who wants to come will be allowed.” At that very moment, a small mouse named Samson escaped from behind a tree. He was wearing a green handkerchief around his neck.
“ I’ll come!” yelled Samson. All of the animals snickered.
“ Anyone besides Samson?” laughed the head lion.
“ I know I’m small, but I’m fast too,” Samson assured them.
Lothar hesitated,“ Oh okay, come along, but I doubt you’ll even make it through the first hour out there, nevermind actually win,” he chuckled walking away. Samson joined the lions anyway. He could beat them and show them he could be brave too. He had always had dreams about being the leader of the jungle ever since he watched the first race with all of the lions.
“The rules are simple,” said Lothar. “The first one to cross the finish line wins the crown. Follow the path and don’t cheat. Ready? Set? Go!”
And then they were off. Just like that, the lions ran and Samson was close behind, but after a few minutes, the lions were out of Samson’s sight. However, he didn’t give up. He gasped for air with every step, but he didn’t quit. Every step was one step closer to the finish line.
After a while, the lions stopped to sleep for the night. Samson was far behind, but he didn’t rest. He kept running and running. He could catch up while the lions slept. His little legs carried him for miles and miles at a time. He leaped over fallen tree branches. The trees were skyscrapers compared to Samson. They towered over him, and cast shadows on the jungle floor. As the sunset, it became cooler and easier to run.He sprinted past the sleeping lions and continued on to where he was only a step behind the finish line.
The sun was rising, and the lions would awake soon. He would wait for them to get there, and they would watch him step over the finish line and claim his victory.
The darkness of the night slowly turned to brightness of the morning as the lions rushed to pass the finish line. Before they did, Samson stepped over the finish line and grinned. The lions were close behind and crossed the line soon after. Samson ripped off the green handkerchief in victory. All of the animals chanted, “Samson! Samson! Samson!” All of the animals except the lions of course, who stood in the corner exhausted from the race. The monkeys swung from the tree vines and placed a golden crown on top of his head. It was decorated with large red jewels that sparkled in the sunlight. He sighed with relief, he had won.
Moral: Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.