The Hare and the Hedgehog
The Beginning of the Story
Once upon a time, near a turnip field, lived a family of hedgehogs. Mama and Papa had to leave, so now, the two twin brothers were all alone.
The Soup Without the Secret Ingredient
— It still needs a little bit of... — It still needs a little bit of... — It still needs a little bit of...
— Just say it already! What else does that soup need? — It still needs a little bit of...
— You know what? I can't take this anymore. I'm going for a walk until you figure out what else the soup needs. And I'm very hungry, so I hope you'll manage.
— I really can't figure it out. What's Mama's secret ingredient? I don't remember at all.
— You should have taken the recipe. — I took it, but I lost it. Why didn't you take it? — I took it! But I lost it. Why didn't you take it? I'm gone.
— Oh, Mama, I miss you. Please come back soon. — I'll get another turnip, okay? For the salad. — Okay.
The Meeting with the Hare
So the little hedgehog left his brother cooking and went to pull out another turnip. Next to the turnip garden was a cabbage patch, where a hare had come to live a few days ago.
— Hello, Mr. Hare! Are you new around here? — What's it to you, little one?
— How funny! How hilarious! — How funny! How hilarious!
— Hey! Why did you do that? — Oh, the little one's upset!
— You're so much fun, little one! I love it! — Hey, stop it! What's your problem? — None! I'm worried about your problem!
— What do you mean? — Your legs! Do you even manage to walk, or do you always fall and roll around like a ball of spikes? It must be difficult, isn't it? To live with those legs, Mr. Little Spiky-thing that you are?
— Alright, that's enough, you giant! — Poor you! You can't do anything with those toothpicks you call legs! You even tried to hit me with them! The funniest thing in the world!
— Maybe I can't hit you, but I bet I can beat you in a race. — What? You're challenging me to a race? Seriously, little one?
— Yes. Are you scared? — That was a good joke! I have to admit. — So, are you really scared?
— Are you crazy? Me, scared of you? I could beat a hundred like you in a flash! Like this! — See? — That was good, but not fast enough.
— Why don't you practice, and I'll go home for lunch. Then we'll race from this tree, at this edge of the field, to the one at the other end of the field. — What? — See you in half an hour. Bye for now.
The Hedgehog's Plan
— It still needs a little bit of... — Did I do that again? — Did you bring the turnip for the salad? What else does the soup need? — Forget the soup! I have to win a race! — What?
And the hedgehog told his twin brother everything that had happened between him and the hare.
— The hare is mean. But how are you going to win the race? — I have a plan.
The hedgehog thought of a plan.
The Race
Half an hour later, as they had agreed, the hedgehog and the hare met at the tree.
— I see you're punctual! I like that. — Are you aware that this is a running race between me, a hare, and you, a tiny hedgehog?
— Alright then! You take this furrow, and I'll take this one. Get ready! — You start us off. — Hey, on your marks! Hare! Little hedgehog! Get set! Hare, little hedgehog! Get set! And go!
— He thinks he can beat me? The fool! But I don't see him anywhere. — Were you looking for me? — You're already here? I thought you were fast. What took you so long? — It's impossible! Let's race again!
— Alright! — You finally made it! I was getting worried! — It can't be true! Let's race again!
— You're getting slower and slower. Maybe you should train more. — Now I see two hedgehogs. What's happening to me?
— You said you could beat a hundred like us, and yet you lost to us, just two. — You're twins? — That's right!
— But you cheated! — We're sorry, but you were mean too, you know?
— You have stronger legs, you run faster, but it seems we have stronger will and more brains. — Here! Take this! — We're sorry.
— Wait! That's from my field. And I'm sorry too. You two will be good friends to me. I promise never to be mean again. — And we promise. — And we promise.
The Secret Ingredient and Friendship
— Mmm! That's what it needed all along! Cabbage! Mama's secret ingredient is cabbage! How delicious! — Mama's secret ingredient is cabbage? — Mama's secret ingredient is cabbage?
And so, the three of them became good friends. Each of us is good at some things, and less good at others. So we shouldn't be selfish about our talents, nor sad about our weaknesses.
