Once upon a time there were Broom and Beep—two little cars, two best friends.
Broom was a nimble blue saloon with big bright headlamps. He could quickly navigate round any obstacles. He also loved racing, but only when there were no other cars on the road, so he wouldn't crash into anyone.
Beep was his best friend, her bodywork was orange with a black roof, and her model was called a 'three-door hatchback'. She was very small, but a clever little car.
The friends were driving down the street one day and saw a colourful notice: 'All the fastest and bravest little cars are invited to the main race of the week! Come to the central arena and win a prize!'.
Delighted Broom even jumped up:
Brilliant! I'm very fast and I'll definitely get the prize!
Yes, I think so too. Let's go to the race.
The little cars arrived at the arena, and there was a very long queue of other cars who had also come to compete. And what a variety there was! Big jeeps with wheels the size of Broom. Small racing formula cars, lower than Beep. Even a lorry had turned up, can you imagine?
The cars were boasting 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 tyres to glide easily over the tarmac. A fourth had a wide spoiler to manoeuvre better.
Beep said:
Goodness me. This really will be a splendid race! Look how many different cars there are. By the way, Broom, what's your advantage?
Oh... I don't know. I've always been quite nimble. But there are such souped-up motors here that I'm rather flustered...
Don't worry, I've got an idea. Let's go on this race's website and see what upgrades we can get so you'll definitely win. We can buy tickets at the same time, because the queue is so-o-o-o long, it's dreadful.
Right! You're so clever for thinking of that!
The friends drove away from the crowd, got 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 fitted next to the engine. You just press a button, and the car makes a big surge forward. Broom really wanted one of those! But it was very expensive.
Beep, 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 at the back, where you can barely see the racing track.
His friend replied:
But if we buy the upgrade, you'll definitely win! You're so nimble, and I know for certain that 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 definitely 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 drove through the gate for racers, and Beep went off to find her seat.
The race began. The little orange car couldn't see anything, because she was low down and there were lots of other cars 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 to the whole stadium: 'The title of fastest car of the week goes to Broom!', the spectators stood up and honked joyfully. Beep honked with all her might too, but she couldn't even be heard.
Whilst our new champion stood on the podium receiving his prize, he tried to spot the orange hatchback, but couldn't see her. He was pleased that he'd won, but he would have been even more pleased if his friend had shared the thrill of the chase with him.
Then the friends met up and Beep warmly congratulated Broom on his victory. But he said:
It would have been better if we'd bought a front row ticket, so you could see the race, not other people's boots. And it wouldn't matter whether I'd won or lost, at least I would have enjoyed the race, and you would have enjoyed seeing and hearing us racing! Next week there'll be other champions, and then more and more, and it's unlikely anyone will remember that I won here once. But we would both remember how this race went and could discuss it!
And the little cars decided that next time they would always choose friendship.
