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| Sunday, 23 January 2005 |
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At the tip of the horse's nose! Sunday parable by Sunanda Mahendra "I am so pleased to see you all gathered to celebrate my fiftieth
birthday. I see all animals, big and small, have come here with lots of "What was the next item on the agenda?" asked the elephant swaying his long trunk. "A trophy is to be given to the fastest runner and a competition will be held to judge the winner," said the fox looking at the horse. "A race is not quite necessary because the horse will win the race as he is the fastest runner we have in this animal kingdom," said the elephant trying to win the favour of the horse. "But how do you know whether there are many more animals who can run faster than the horse?" asked the rabbit who was seated near the tortoise. "Well, everything depends on how the competition is held." said the parrot perched on a mango tree. "Well, let us see how many will take part in the contest. Those willing to take part in the contest, could forward their names ." said the lion. Looking around in a proud manner, the horse came forward and a sound of applause reverberated the jungle. Then came the rabbit. Once again the sound of applause was heard. A little bee was humming around the place. "Are you going to be a contestant?" asked the fox. "Yes certainly." answered the bee. "Is that allowed?" asked the elephant. "Well there are no taboos in this kind of contest, as all creatures were equal. Anybody can come forward and be a participant." When the little bee appeared, all the creatures applauded. But they were wondering as to how the bee was going to run. So there was a loud murmur, which was silenced by the fox judge, accordingly, saying that this was a serious event because even a little bee was taking part in a contest, where a giant like the horse who was well- known to be a speedy runner. Then he laid down the rules and asked his wife to be at the Winner's End and declare the winner. He also indicated that those, who wish to be observers could do so at their own risk. "Come on hurry up, we must not waste time for there are many more items to follow. Please line up for my signal. Now on your mark." The contestants lined up and a number of animals said that they were not going to take part as they were, positive about the winner. The little bee was seen performing a circular dance in one place, showing everybody that he was more of a joker than a contestant. Then the fox once again said. "Go..." came the voice. The horse, who was positive about his position, and did not run as fast as he usually did. Instead he was prancing rather slowly mocking the rabbit. The little bee stopped his circular dance and stood on the tip of the horse's nose. The horse felt a certain degree of uneasiness and shook his head. But the little bee stood still without moving off from the horse's nose. When the horse reached the winning post, the little bee got out of the tip of the horse's nose and showed himself as the winner. Mrs. Fox, who was recording who the winner was, saw the little bee coming first in the race and declared the bee as the winner.The, verdict however, was challenged by the horse. "That verdict cannot be challenged or changed as the judges verdict was final." "It is unfair on the part of our horses." said the horse rather moanfully looking at the king of the animals, the lion. "I am helpless at this moment, even though I happen to be the king." said the lion. After a moment, the fox declared that the winner of the competition was the little bee and the lion's trophy would be awarded to the bee. "I can't accept that trophy." said the little bee "Why?" asked the lion. "There are two reasons, first of all I cannot carry a trophy but that is besides the point and the second is that I am the winner irrespective of the fact that I stood on the tip of the horse's nose." All the animals had a great laugh at the expense of the horse. |
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presents. I thank you all and we shall go into the next item on our agenda
today," said the lion in the forest, in the once upon a time kingdom.
There were birds, beasts,insects and other creatures ,who were waiting to
see what was happening.
