Once upon a time, the insects in a park decided to hold a sports race called the "Cockroach Dash". The main prize was to be nectar from a sunflower that had just come into bloom. Almost all the park's residents wanted to take part, as everyone longed to taste this wonderful honey drink.
It was agreed that the race would start as soon as the first ray of sunshine touched the large leaf of the sunflower. Many could not sleep: the hive buzzed with the voices of a hundred bees, who were choosing the most worthy candidate for the contest.
The beetles argued too, and even fell out a little. The butterflies, having done their evening exercises, went to bed to gather their strength. The ladybirds polished their wings.
Only two caterpillars were not worried in the slightest, for they had decided to cheat: one would stay at the start, while the other would creep under cover of night to the sunflower and hide beneath its leaves. And when everyone rushed to the finish line, she would climb out and say:
I'm already here.
They looked alike, and they reckoned nobody would notice the trick.
And then the long-awaited morning arrived. The spiders had spun a light web for the spectators and fans, and had also stretched a thread that the racers were meant to break at the finish.
On your marks! Get set! Go! And the competitors, some flying, some crawling, some hopping, rushed towards the coveted goal. The nimblest of all turned out to be the little bee, who had made such flights many times before. Delighted, she landed on the sunflower and began to sing her little song.
But just then a caterpillar crawled out and grumbled:
Why all the buzzing? I've been here ages, I even had time for a nap while you lot were dawdling about like snails.
Nobody could believe their eyes; such a thing simply could not be. For many had seen the caterpillar at the start, puffing and groaning as it crawled, and now here it sat beside the sunflower claiming it had won the race.
But then the clever little spider announced to everyone that the caterpillar was a cheat.
How can you prove it?" she shouted.
Like this!" He led the little bee closer to everyone.
Look, the finish-line web is still stuck to her little dress, because this little one broke it when she reached the spot. But there is no web on the caterpillar, which means she has been sitting here for a long time.
Everyone around began to chatter and hum. Only the little bee said:
Let's not quarrel. Let's hold a feast for the whole world and dance. The sun is rising, and the day is beginning.
Everyone agreed, for nobody wanted to spoil the mood.
