In the animal kingdom, Timmy the tortoise was known for his slow and steady pace. While other animals dashed and fluttered around, Timmy took his time, enjoying the beauty of the sunny meadow where he lived. Despite his pleasant nature, he frequently found himself the subject of ridicule from his quicker companions.
“Why are you so slow, Timmy?” mocked Benny the squirrel one sunny morning as they strolled past each other. “You’ll be left behind in a race, that’s for sure!”
But Timmy simply smiled and continued on his way, knowing that each creature has its own special talents. He enjoyed the scents of the flowers, the rustle of leaves, and the feel of the warm sun on his shell, oblivious to the teasing comments of others.
One day, the meadow experienced a sudden disaster. A fierce storm swept through, flooding Timmy’s home and putting all his friends in danger. Benny the squirrel found himself stranded in a tree with his friend Carly the bird, unable to escape the rising waters.
“We need to get to a higher place!” hooted Carly, flapping her wings desperately.
“Hush, you’re making too much noise. The shark will hear you,” whispered Benny, his eyes darting around in fear. Luckily, Timmy happened to be walking by at that moment.
Without hesitating to consider the speed of his legs, he looked up at his friends in the tree. “Climb onto my back. I will carry you to a safety!”
Some of the animals below shook their heads in disbelief. “That slow tortoise? They will never reach the high ground! It would be wiser for them to jump down and swim.”
But Timmy, with his steadfast heart, looked up and said, “Trust me.”
Timmy’s steady pace proved essential as one by one, animals jumped or flew down to his hard shell. Despite the heavy raindrops and rushing floodwaters, Timmy made his way to the highest hill in the meadow where all his friends could finally hop off and find solid ground.
Benny and Carly hopped and flew on again while Timmy made his way slowly back, but this time he was met with cheers and thanks from all the animals he had helped.
“You are not slow, Timmy,” said Peta the partridge when she reached home. “You are a true friend.”
And so, Timmy learned that it was indeed the kind heart that counts and did not care what the others might say about his slow ways.
“Be kind, be steady, and friends will always follow,” he thought, winking at a passing bee. It’s true that “Slow but steady wins the race.”