The Hare and the Tortoise II

The next day it snowed again.  I lived closest to the site and was the only one who made it to work in time to run the morning group.  When I walked into the group room a young man was sitting with his arms crossed and his feet propped up on a table.  “What make believe story do you have for us today?” he said with a sneer.

“How about a fable, the tortoise and the hare’s rematch,” I said, ignoring his scowl. “A week after their famous race, the fox approached the hare who maintained a safe distance.  The fox told the hare he could win a rematch if he slowed down just a little and paced himself.  The fox knew the hare’s ego had been severely bruised by the loss. He sold the hare a couple of Dilaudids.  ‘These will help you beat shell boy at his own slow and steady game,’ he said.

“Next the fox approached the tortoise. Safely tucked in his shell, the tortoise listened as the fox told him the hare wanted a rematch. The tortoise was sick and tired of people saying he’d gotten lucky, and he’d never win a rematch. The fox said, ‘you’re gonna have to pick it up buddy if you want to beat the hare again.  He’s ready for you this time.’ He sold the tortoise a little cocaine. ‘Just enough to get you going,’ he told the tortoise, ‘nothing to worry about.’

“The next day they lined up for the race.  The tortoise did a line a coke inside his shell.  He immediately realized his shell was holding him back, and he didn’t really need it because he was too smart to get caught by any predator. Off he went without his shell, impressed by his own speed.

“Twenty minutes before the race the hare had eaten the Dilaudids. He took off at a slow jog, feeling warm, happy, and just a little bit sleepy.”

“Not that I care, but who won?” the young man asked.

“The fox,” I answered.  “The next day he sold rabbit stew and turtle soup at roadside stand and made a killing.”

“Is there supposed to be a moral to that story?”

I wanted to say ‘come out of that angry shell and I’ll tell you.’ Instead I said to the group, “the world is full of foxes who have a chemical solution to an ego problem. Be careful out there.”

Today I will beware of foxes and my own ego.

Life on Life’s Terms II © 2015 by Ken Montrose