How to Run the Race

In the animal kingdom, a severe famine once struck, leaving inhabitants in dire hunger. Among them lived a once sprightly cat, now fallen into laziness due to the scarcity of food.

One day, famished and drowsy, the cat lay emaciated on the ground, eyes sunken into their sockets and body curved like a horse shoe. Unexpectedly, a large mouse ventured out seeking fresh air, unknowingly treading upon the cat’s tail, forcing the cat awake.

“What a stroke of luck!” The cat became excited, believing its meal had arrived while it dozed.

Without delay, the cat chased after the mouse with every ounce of strength remaining. The pursuit was intense, leaving trails of dust and a spectacle of speed that astonished other animals.

From hills to valleys, back and forth across the landscape, the chase was an astonishing display of energy, drawing admiration from all animals.

However, the cat’s vigor dwindled, and the race eventually reached its defeat, leaving the cat in tears, having exhausted even its capacity to weep.

Returning sluggishly from the race, a friend, a dog, inquired, “What happened? I saw you closing in on the rat. What happened?”.

The mouse replied sagely, “I was only running for my meal, while the rat ran for his life.”

This is an excerpt of the story told in the movie, Princess of Ketwe (2016) It is about striving for greatness in the face of any difficulty.