Douglas Satterfield posted:                       

   It was the day of the great race between the Tortoise and the Hare.
   Everyone there knew the Tortoise hadn't a prayer. Even the Toroise 
   started to wonder, how could he win? - and silently wished he were the 
   Hare. Panic set in as the race was to start. The Tortoise's confidence 
   was broken he was visibly shaken and falling apart. The Hare saw this and 
   laughed!, "this was going to be easier than he thought, once the race 
   began I would never be caught"! 

   The gun went off and the outcome seemed set. The Tortoise would lose, 
   it was a sure bet. But as the race got under way the Tortoise had a
   thought and said to himself, "that arrogant Hare thinks he's so hot!, 
   what the heck I'm going to give it my best shot. I am what I am, win or 
   lose, but a quitter I am not"!  Suddenly winning didn't seem so important 
   and the Tortoise didn't even care, he felt so good about himself he 
   didn't need to beat the Hare. The Hare got so far ahead that he thought 
   he could rest, while the Tortoise keep on giving it his best. Well the 
   finish was not as expected the Tortoise had won while the Hare was sleeping. 
   The harvest had come but, it was the Tortoise who was reaping.
   
   The Hare awoke and realized he had lost. He was humiliated, what had he 
   done!?  The last thing he remembered was the sound of the gun.  
   He saw the Tortise celebrating and now in a different light, maybe his way 
   was ultimately right?  The Hare was ashamed and no longer felt proud and 
   just wanted to get far away from the crowd. 

   The Tortise saw the Hare in despair and knew he was beaten. His spirit 
   was broken and he had lost his fight. He knew how he was feeling and 
   said to the Hare "Be yourself man and it will be all right. Love yourself 
   and once again be proud, there's no reason to hide from the crowd. 
   Don't fight the pain it will only feel worse this day is a blessing
   it is not a curse. You are faster than me that we all know but from this 
   day maybe we both can grow. It's not important whether we finish first or 
   last, put this behind you and leave it in the past. The love from inside 
   is a prise we all can gain, it is the only way to really heal the pain. 
   You'll find out that we all can win if you just open your heart and let 
   the process begin. It won't happen overnight, you may still feel some pain 
   but, that is all part of the game we call life. So, lighten your load and 
   lessen your strife. There are good times and bad times that we all must go 
   through, be good to yourself and don't feel so blue.
   
   The Hare felt much better he had found a true friend, the Tortoise of
   course..... but, himself in the end.