Life is a journey , not a race

   

 

Once upon a time there was a  young athletic boy hungry for success for whom winning is everything and success was measured just by winning. One day boy was preparing himself for running competition in his small village and two other young boys to compete. A large crowd gathered to witness this sporting spectacle and wise old man hearing upon little boy had travelled far to bear witness also. The race commenced looking like a level heat, at the finishing line but sure enough the boy dug deep and called on his determination, strength and power. He took the winning line and was first. The crowd was ecstatic ,cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man remained still and calm, expressing no sentiment. The little boy, however, felt proud and important.

    A second race was called, and two young, fit challengers came forward, to run with a little boy. The race was started and sure enough the little boy came through and finished once again. The crowd was ecstatic again cheered and waved at the boy The wise man  remain still and calm again and expressing no sentiments. The little boy however felt proud and important, "another race another race " pleaded boy. The wise old man step forward and presented the little boy with two new challenges. An elderly failed lady and blind, what is this?,quizzed the little boy. This is no race, he exclaimed. Race! said the wise man, the race was started and the boy was the only finisher. The other two challengers stand still at the starting line. The little boy was ecstatic, he raised his arms in delight. The crowd however, silent showing no sentiment toward little boy. What has happened ? why not do the people joined my success? he asked wise old man.

    Race again! said wise man, this time three of you finished together continued the wise man. The little boy thought a little, stood middle of the blind man and old frail old lady, and then took the two challengers by the hand. The race began and the little boy walked slowly, ever so slowly, through the finishing line and cross it. The crowd was ecstatic ,cheered and waved at the boy.The wise man smiled gently nodding his head. The little boy felt proud and important.

    'Old man I understand not 'who are the crowd cheering for? Which one of us three? , asked the little boy. The wise old man looked into the little boy's eye placing his hands on little boy's shoulder and replied softly.."Little boy, in this race you have won much more than any race you have ever ran before, and for this race crowd  cheered not for any winner!"

    Moral of the story is.....you see in life, in your life what are you running for?, are you hungry for success?, is winning the only measurement for you in your life?, who are you running against? at the end of the life if you look back ..The question is who was running next to you ,in the race? If there were weaker and old ,did you help them to get across the line? Did you all finish together?  because that is the best race you can ever run. So run, run this race called life which is a journey in itself.