Why the Tortoise Wanders (Part 1)
It was that time of the year again. The moment every furred and furless creature has been waiting for. It was here. The annual quad race was an exciting sporting event that brought all the animals in the Eden gardens together. Other than the commemoration of a new Crown Lion or the occasional brawls between two unruly animals, this was the only event that could command a large crowd. Even the vulture attended the event.
The race was a marathon that was exclusive to every four-footed animal in the Eden Gardens. They would dash from the gates of the garden to Crown Lion’s Den, covering the entire width of the garden in the process. The garden was enormous and so, it was up to the competing animals to choose and use the routes that seemed best to them. Usually, the quail and grouse would supervise the race from the blue; making sure that all the animals were safe on their paths. The race was just as entertaining as it was momentous. The stakes were high; a grand and prestigious crown awaited the winner of the race.
Picture from www.dreamstime.com
The Quad race was commissioned by the Crown Lion to pick his second banana. Every animal relished being the Crown’s second in command but it was not a position for the unfit or unwise – thus, the quad race. Via the race, the Crown Lion was able to choose the swiftest, fittest and most importantly, the most strategic of the animals to be his aide.
Crown Lion was wise enough to know that one’s skill and wits, if not well sharpened, could easily deteriorate in the space of a year, so he made it an annual event. That way, the current second in command and every other quadriplegic animal could have the chance to show their worth. Nevertheless, in the last three years, the tortoise has occupied the seat.
Preparations for the race could take months or a few days depending on what animal you were. For example, animals like the snake, crocodile, elephant, would practice for months building up to the august event. On the other hand, the tiger, cheetah, leopard, horse and a few others only needed a few days to get in shape for the race. Whatever the length of the warm up, the animals trained well and to their best. However, there was one animal that was rarely ever seen training – the tortoise.
Picture from www.dreamstime.com
How the tortoise, a heavyweight animal that barely trained for this physically demanding activity, was able to dash past the likes of the cheetah and the horse and lift the trophy was a mystery to every one. Also, no one ever knew the route he used to reach the finish line. But as was the tradition of the animals in Eden gardens, everyone minded their business and did not bother to ruminate too much on this enigma. In fact, the winner of the race was always duly celebrated and heralded but never questioned. Once, the snail won the race – no one asked any questions.
One animal, however, had questions that she believed needed answers. The zebra would not let herself be fooled by illogical and untenable tenets. The tortoise was definitely not fast enough to reach Crown Lion’s Den before the likes of the cheetah and tiger. There had to be some other explanation. Maybe some mystery route the tortoise followed – that seemed like the most plausible explanation. She vowed to get to the bottom of this, somehow.
Picture from http://fineartamerica.com/featured/curious-zebra-jill-maney.html
The zebra started out by spying on the tortoise every now and then. She did this to get an idea of the tortoise’s daily routine. For a while, she did not find any thing out of the ordinary. The zebra would stay at a good vantage point, waiting and watching until the tortoise moved. But the tortoise barely moved from one spot for long periods. When he finally did, the tortoise would just parade around his neck of the wood, eating the green away. He would then visit Crown Lion’s Den to carry out his duties. After that, he would return to his original spot and recline his head back into his shell until he was hungry or needed at Crown Lion’s Den.
The zebra spent a few weeks watching the tortoise but it was always the same drill. She started getting bored but was not going to let her listlessness get the better of her. She was determined and resolute in her bid.
Two fortnights before the race, as the moon began to emerge, the zebra – lying at her usual spot behind the trees and at a safe distance from the tortoise’s hearth and home – heard a rattle. She sat up and saw the tortoise’s shell tottering to find its balance. She watched closely to see what it was that might have agitated the tortoise. What she saw next was beyond her wildest imagination.
......... to be continued
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- Tobi Nifesi