Once upon a time there were Broom and Beebee — two cars, two best friends.
Broom was a nimble blue sedan with big bright headlights. He could quickly navigate around any obstacles. He also loved to race, but only when there were no other cars on the road, so he wouldn't crash into anyone.
Beebee was his best friend, her body was orange with a black roof, and her model was called a "three-door hatchback." She was very petite, but a smart little car.
The friends were driving down the street one day and saw a colourful announcement: "All the fastest and bravest cars are invited to the main race of the week! Come to the central arena and win a prize!"
Excited Broom even jumped up:
Awesome! I'm really fast and I'll definitely win the prize!
Yeah, I think so too. Let's go to the race.
The cars arrived at the arena, and there was a long, long queue of other cars that had also come to compete. And what a variety! Big SUVs with wheels the size of Broom. Small racing formula cars, lower than Beebee. Even a dump truck showed up, can you imagine?
The automobiles were bragging to each other about how strong and manoeuvrable they were. One had a powerful engine to accelerate quickly. Another had a very light body so nothing would slow it down. A third had smooth tires to glide easily on the asphalt. A fourth had a wide spoiler to manoeuvre better.
Beebee said:
Wow. This is really going to be quite a race! Look at all these different cars. By the way, Broom, what's your advantage?
Oh... I don't know. I've always been so nimble. But there are such souped-up cars here that I'm actually confused...
Don't worry, I have an idea. Let's go on this race's website and see what upgrades we can get so you'll definitely win. We'll also buy tickets while we're at it, because the queue is so-o-o-o long, it's terrible.
Right! You're so clever for thinking of that!
The friends left the crowd, pulled out a smartphone and went on the website. There they read that the racing shop still had an upgrade available in the form of nitro-speed, which is installed next to the engine. Just press a button, and the car makes a big surge forward. Broom really wanted that thing! But it was very expensive.
Beebee, what should we do? If we buy the nitro-speed, we won't have enough money for a front row ticket. And you'll have to sit far back, where you can barely see the race track.
His friend answered:
But if we buy the upgrade, you'll definitely win! You're so nimble, and I know for sure you deserve to take the prize.
Broom thought about it. He really wanted his best friend to have a good view. But he also really wanted the trophy for fastest car.
You're sure you won't be upset about having bad seats?
Of course I won't be upset! Let's buy it.
They bought the nitro-speed and a ticket for the back row, and also registered Broom as a race participant. Then they drove to the racing arena. Broom went through the racers' gate, and Beebee went to find her seat.
The race began. The little orange car couldn't see anything, because she was low and there were many other cars sitting in front of her. They were shouting and jumping, cheering for their favourites, so she couldn't understand what was happening on the track. But then the announcer declared over the whole stadium: "The title of fastest car of the week goes to Broom!", the spectators stood up and honked joyfully. Beebee also honked with all her might, but she couldn't even be heard.
While our new hero stood on the podium receiving his award, he tried to spot the orange hatchback, but couldn't see her. He was happy that he won, but he would have been even happier if his friend had shared the thrill of the chase with him.
Later the friends met and Beebee warmly congratulated Broom on his victory. But he said:
We should have bought a front row ticket so you could see the race, not other people's boots. And it wouldn't matter whether I won or lost, at least I would have enjoyed the race, and you would have enjoyed seeing and hearing us race! Next week there will be other champions, and then more and more, and it's unlikely anyone will remember that I won here once. But you and I would both remember how this race went and we could discuss it!
And the cars decided that next time they would always choose friendship.
