The Great Race Across the Waters

Long ago near the bank of the lakes, lived two birds - a hummingbird that flew very fast and a crane, a tall quiet bird that moved with long legs with slow deliberate wings.

Hummingbird was very proud of its speed and watched the slow-walking Crane with contempt. “You are so slow, Crane!”

The Crane studied the little bird. “Speed is useful only for short distances, Hummingbird.” Crane said softly. “But life is a long journey. To travel far, one needs endurance.”

Hummingbird thought that Crane was making excuses for his slowness. “I will prove that I am right.” Hummingbird looked contemptuously at Crane. “Let us have a race!”

The Crane agreed. “Let us race from the bank of this river across the Great Water. The first one to touch the old oak tree on the other side will win.”

The race started.

In the beginning, Hummingbird shot forward, even before Crane had started from the shore.

For a few hours, Hummingbird was ahead in the race. He laughed at Crane who was far behind him.

But by afternoon, Hummingbird’s wings started aching. His heart thudded painfully against his chest and Hummingbird could not fly further.

Hummingbird landed on a floating log of wood to rest.

Within a few moments, Hummingbird was fast asleep.

Meanwhile, Crane flew on.

Crane did not rush nor did he try to speed up. He simply maintained a slow rhythmic beat with his wide steady wings. He did not stop to celebrate how far he had come, nor did he look back to measure how far he had come. He simply flew forward.

Night fell and Crane flew right past the sleeping Hummingbird.

When the morning sun broke over the horizon,  Hummingbird woke up with a start. Realizing that he had slept for a long time, he buzzed into overdrive and shot forward towards the northern shore.

The hummingbird reached the other side of the bank only to find Crane calmly resting at the base of the oak tree. Hummingbird  landed near Crane, exhausted and humbled.

Crane smiled at Hummingbird. “You have great speed, Hummingbird, but speed without pacing will burn out before you reach the finish line. Small consistent steps will always carry you further than sudden bursts of speed.”

Adapted from Native American Folklore