Caren Krutsinger | + Follow Poet |
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The Tortoise Family Outfoxes the Hare

Prissy Patti was placed in the running competition 
Not because she was the fastest, but she was the pushiest.
And hares are well-known for backing off in most fights.
She was preening and twirling in the large mirror when Tammy arrived.

Tammy was the turtle’s entry; late, as usual, but there two minutes before forfeit time.
Tammy tried to shake Patti’s hand, but Patti stuck up her nose and hopped away.
“I told you,” Tammy’s sidekick said. Tammy grinned at him. He was loyal and true blue.
The best friend she had ever had, a snake to others, a bestie to her.

They had been besties since she was a baby and had saved him from the jaws of a mean cat.
“Why did the judges pick me?” she asked Sammy. “I am not the fastest or the smartest.”
“Because you will do what you are told, “he replied. “I will be there, along the way to help.
They saw the route for the first time. It had sixteen ponds on it. Ponds that reflected.

“Brilliant,” said Sammy. “That will slow down that stuck-up, arrogant Prissy Patty.”
“How?” Tammy asked.  
“She will have to stop and look at herself, won’t she?”
They could not stop laughing.

When Tammy turned to go after the first pond, Sammy said, “Come here!”
She saw him slither up into a truck bed. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“No questions,” he told her. “This is our winning strategy.”
So she jumped onto the truck.

Prissy Patty stopped at every pond to look at herself, as was the plan.
Psychological warfare, and it worked.  She never once looked at the turtles,
There were sixteen different ones. She never noticed. For she only saw something beneath her.
Tammy was released a block from the finish line. She was nearly there when Patti came into view.
“The turtle is winning!”  The crowd shouted.
Even the shares were rooting for Tammy.
She was fully examined after the win.
“Same hare,” the judges said, firmly. “Tammy has won!”

Loud cheering all over the land.
Tammy was a celebrity.
Prissy Patty was miffed.
As a consolation prize, they awarded her the mirror from her dressing room.

Moral of this story:  Pay attention to your opponent in times of war

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