20- A Story of The Hare and The Tortoise

Once upon a time.

There was a hare who lived in a wood.

He was always bragging about being fast.

Especially to this tiny tortoise.

"How can you compare your short legs with mine! I have a strong pair of legs that can beat you anytime!" said the hare.

Instead of arguing with him, the tortoise chose to keep silent and lived his life as he pleased.

Until one day.

The hare started to provoke the tortoise to the extent that he couldn't take it anymore.

So, he accepted the racing challenge from the hare.

In the middle of the racing, because the tortoise was too slow, the hare decided to be a little bit laid back. So, he decided to sleep under a tree.

Unknowingly, the tortoise managed to catch up with him and surpassed the hare.

The tortoise won the race.

The hare felt so embarrassed, yet he asked, how did the short leg tortoise win the rest?

The tortoise said...

"I never want to win. I just want to challenge myself. It happened that you take a brief rest while I'm still moving forward. To be honest, there is no competition between us. We did what we wanted for life. You feel good when you're bragging. I'm not blaming you for that. You are my motivation to strive for success. And here we are at the finishing line..."

"I don't think that's the ending!"

Zee lifts up his head and fixes his glasses. He lays his back on the chair and smiles.

"Why so?"

"The hare is snobbish, that's why he lost the race," again, he chuckles and smiles.

"That's true. Partially. But..."

He closes the book gently before dropping his sight at the group of kids who sit in front of him.

"Does it feel good when you have something that you can talk about yourself to others?" Zee asks.

Those kids exchange looks.

"What do you mean?"

"For example... Yum loves talking about her long black hair, is it true?"

The girl named Yum nods. She proudly flicks her hair while looking at her friends. They tease her after.

"So, what Yum did is no difference from what the hare did. He flashes his strong long legs because that's where his self esteem is. He tried to build up his confidence. So, he was not wrong," Zee replies.

"What is self esteem?" another girl asks.

"Self esteem is an act where you love and value yourself. Something that makes you proud of yourself. For example, I love my heights. I am proud to have this height," Zee stands up from his seat and showcases his tall, well-built frame.

They watch him with awe on their face.

"So, can anyone tell me which part did the hare do wrong?" Zee asks them again.

"I think the part of he mocked the tortoise of being short-leg!" One of the boys answers.

"True. That's the part that the hare did wrong. As a good person, we shouldn't belittle others. Instead, we should be grateful to have what we have and encourage others to keep moving in life," Zee smiles at them.

"So, what is the moral of the story?"

Zee tilts his head and thinks in a brief.

"What do you say?"

"Well, I think we shouldn't brag about ourselves so much that we forgot about our weakness," tells one of the girls.

"True. And there's more..." Zee takes his seat again on the couch.

"In life, there is no such thing as a competition. We live the way we want, as long as we are happy. But, don't take life so easily. There are times when we have to challenge ourselves and move forward. If we think we're too fast but unhappy about it, stop for a while, and take a break. Then, continue," says Zee.

The whole class nods. Some of them may be too young to understand, but some of them understand the whole context. They maybe kids, but kids nowdays, they were build different.

"What matter the most is you are happy. Besides, you're still young. Anything can happen in the future. Enjoy this moment at the fullest,"

The whole class claps at Zee. He nods in tiny, in humble gesture.

"Okay class, there is more. As you might know, today is Uncle Zee's last day with us. Please thank him for sacrificing his time for us," the teacher asks a favor.

"Thank you, Uncle Zee!"

"You're welcome. Feel free to say hi if we meet outside," he says.

The kids come forward, one by one, they shake hands with him until the last kid of the class. Now that the class is empty, the teacher slowly approaches Zee.

"Thanks for the session. Ever since you came to this school, those students, are always motivated by your story. Too bad that the time served with us has come to an end," the teacher says.

"Actually, I'm the one who should thank them. I learn a lot from them. And I'm glad to be a part of this school," Zee replies.

"So, where are you heading next? Did you still have time served or is this the last one?"

Zee grabs his bag. He holds a white envelope in his hand.

"No, I have more. But, I decided to lay back a bit. Motivating people sometimes drains your energy. So, I wanna hold a scoop and play in the sandpit," he grins at her, handing the white envelope. The teacher opens it and reads the letter.

"Kindergarten?"

"Yes. Actually, I have been there for a month now. Reading and playing. A bit childish compared to our session. But, I don't know... I feel happy around them," Zee smiles, unknowingly his face is radiant so bright.

"As long as it helps you with your wellness..."

Zee nods.

"By the way, thank you and good luck for your future,"

"You're welcome."

***

Zee opens the door of the entrance. He looks around, inhales deeply while watching the scenery.

"Uncle Zee!!!"

A tiny footsteps running towards him. He crouches down and hugs the little one.

"Oh my god, what did you eat for breakfast? You're like the energizer bunny!"

"Breakfast as usual. And of course I am powerful. I am a bunny anyway!"

"Sassy, huh?" Zee flicks the button nose. The little frowns a bit. Her lips pout.

"Why are you late?"

"Oh, I need to finish my last session at the school before moving here," Zee explains.

"So, now you're permanent here? Really?" Zee chuckles when he sees those glistening eyes that beam the light when he nods, relaying a good news. The little cheers in happiness, then hastily grabs Zee's hand and drag him towards the classroom.

"Wait, I'm suppose to meet Aunt Mei..."

"Aunt Mei can wait. But, we can't!"

Zee laughs in tiny. Watching the little girl drags him in fiesty. Her action reminds him of someone who currently lives abroad. He misses her.

Maybe he should call her later.

"So, what kind of story do you wanna read for us today?" asks Shu. She turns around and smile at Zee.

Zee halts for a second in front of Shu's classroom. Then, he grins

"I don't know. Maybe a story of a hare and a tortoise?"