Today I’m going to tell a funny story about a race between a little hedgehog and a big rabbit.This story may sound a bit made up, but I can tell you that it’s true!I heard my grandfather tell it many times when I was a child, and every time he would say, “It’s true, or I wouldn’t tell it to you.”
It was a sunny Sunday morning when the crops were ripening.The fields were full of buckwheat flowers, the wind was blowing gently, and the air was especially fresh.Birds were singing in the sky, and bees were buzzing around in the flowers.People were dressed in beautiful clothes, ready to go to church for worship.The whole world looked especially happy, and even the little hedgehog who lived at the edge of the field was in a good mood.
The little hedgehog stood in front of his house, humming a song as he basked in the sun.This was how he usually liked to pass his time.Suddenly, it occurred to him that there was a turnip field near his home, and he wanted to see how those turnips were growing.In fact, those radishes were not his, but he and his family often went there to eat radishes, so he thought it was “his own radish field”.
So he closed the door and walked along the ridge toward the turnip field.When he came to a shrub, he met a big rabbit that was taking a walk.The big rabbit looked very pleased with himself, and walked with an air of dignity.The little hedgehog greeted him politely, “Good morning!”But the big rabbit didn’t pay any attention to him at all, and said, “What are you doing out so early in the morning?”
The little hedgehog was a little upset, but still smiled and said, “I was taking a walk.”
The big rabbit sneered, “A walk?You might as well use those short legs of yours for something proper!”
This comment made the little hedgehog furious.He knew that his legs were indeed short and crooked, which he was born with, and he never felt that he was inferior to others.So he immediately replied back, “Do you think your long legs are better than mine?”
The big rabbit laughed, “Of course, I’m sure my legs are much more useful than yours.”
The little hedgehog said, “Then let’s have a competition to see who can run faster, how about it?”
When the big rabbit heard this, he immediately became interested: “Let’s compare!What do you want to bet?”
The little hedgehog thought about it and said, “How about betting a gold coin and a bottle of wine?”
The big rabbit quickly agreed: “OK, it’s settled!”
After saying this, they high-fived and agreed to start the race right away.But the little hedgehog waved his hand and said, “Wait, I haven’t eaten yet.I’ll go and have a breakfast and come back in half an hour.”
The big rabbit nodded and thought it was no problem.As the little hedgehog walked home, he was calculating in his mind, “This guy is so arrogant, looking down on people just because he has long legs.But I can find a way to win him.”
When he got home, the little hedgehog called his wife out, “Honey, get dressed and come with me to the field.”
The wife looked puzzled, “What’s wrong?Is something wrong?”
The little hedgehog said mysteriously, “I made a bet with the big rabbit for a gold coin and a bottle of wine.We’re going to have a race and you’ll have to help.”
The wife was shocked, “Are you crazy?How can you race the rabbit?Do you know how fast he runs?”
The little hedgehog waved his hand and said, “Don’t you care so much, just listen to me, go and change your clothes.”
Together they went to the turnip field.The little hedgehog said to his wife, “Listen carefully, when the race is on, I will be in this field and the big rabbit will be in that field.When the race starts, you will stand at this end, and when the big rabbit runs to your side, you will shout ‘I was already here’.Got it?”
The wife nodded although she didn’t quite understand.
When they arrived at the race site, the little hedgehog first asked his wife to stand at the finishing position, and then he himself returned to the starting point.By this time, the big rabbit was already waiting there.He looked confident and ready to go.
“Ready?”Big Rabbit asked.
The little hedgehog nodded, “Well, let’s start.”
“1, 2, 3 , run!”With a command, the big rabbit rushed out like a gust of wind, incredibly fast.
But the little hedgehog just ran two steps, and then crouched down on the edge of the vegetable bed and didn’t move.He had no intention of running forward, for he knew his legs were not fast enough.And his wife was waiting at the other end.
When the big rabbit reached the end in one breath, the little hedgehog’s wife shouted, “I was already here!”
The big rabbit froze, thinking that only the little hedgehog would say that.He thought to himself, “This isn’t right, how could he have gotten there before me when he clearly started behind me just now?”
Unconvinced, he said, “Let’s do it again!I’ll win this time!”
So they ran again, and the result was the same.Every time the big rabbit reached the finish line, he heard the words, “I’ve been here for a long time”.The more he thought about it, the more he didn’t understand, but he kept on running.
In all, they ran seventy-three times, each time with the same result.The big rabbit was tired, panting and sweating, but he still refused to admit defeat.
When the seventy-fourth race began, the big rabbit ran as hard as he could, but only halfway through the race, he fell headlong to the ground, spitting blood, and could not get up any more.
The little hedgehog came out from the vegetable beds, took the gold coins and wine he had won, and went home happily.His wife also came out of her finishing position and the two of them returned home together.It is said that they have lived there ever since, and would be living happily ever after, if they were alive now.
Since then, no rabbit has ever dared to run in a race with the little hedgehog in this part of Buxhude.
This story tells us two truths:
The first truth is: no matter how powerful a person is, don’t just laugh at others.Even someone who seems weak may have a way of making you lose badly.Just like this little hedgehog, although his legs are short, he beat the proud big rabbit by his wits.
The second truth is: it is important to find the right person.The little hedgehog married a wife who was similar to him, and the two of them worked well together to finish the race.So, when choosing a partner, you don’t necessarily have to find the prettiest or the strongest one, but someone who can face difficulties with you and support each other.
