Once upon a time, the insects in a park decided to hold a sporting race called the “Cockroach Sprint Derby”. The main prize was nectar from a sunflower that had just bloomed. Almost all the park’s residents wanted to take part, because everyone was keen to try this wonderful honey drink.
It was agreed that the race would start as soon as the first ray of sunshine touched the big sunflower leaf. Many could not sleep: the beehive buzzed with hundreds of bees choosing the most worthy candidate for the contest.
The beetles argued too, and even fell out a little. The butterflies, after their evening stretches, went to bed to build up their strength. The ladybirds polished their wings.
Only two caterpillars were not worried at all. They decided to cheat: one would stay at the start, while the other would sneak under cover of night to the sunflower and hide beneath its leaves. When everyone rushed to the finish line, she would crawl out and say:
Well, I’m already here.
They looked alike, so they thought nobody would notice the trick.
At last the long-awaited morning arrived. The spiders spun light webs for the spectators and fans, and stretched a thread that the racers had to break at the finish line.
On your marks! Get set! Go! The contestants, some flying, some crawling, some hopping, dashed towards the coveted prize. The swiftest was a little bee, who had made such flights many times before. Happy, she landed on the sunflower and began to sing her little song.
But then a caterpillar crawled out and grumbled:
What’s all the buzzing about? I’ve been here ages, I even had a nap while you lot were dawdling along like snails.
Nobody could believe their eyes; it simply couldn’t be. Many had seen the caterpillar at the start, puffing and groaning as she wriggled along, and now here she sat beside the sunflower claiming she had won the race.
Then the clever little spider announced to everyone that the caterpillar was a cheat.
Prove it! she shouted.
Here’s how! He guided the little bee closer so everyone could see.
Look, there’s a bit of finish-line web stuck to her little dress, which she tore when she reached the spot. The caterpillar has no web on her, which means she’s been sitting here for ages.
Everyone started murmuring and buzzing. Only the little bee said:
Let’s not fight. Let’s throw a big barbecue for everyone and have a dance. The sun is rising and the day is just beginning.
Everyone agreed, because nobody wanted to spoil the mood.
