In the African savannah, there was a slow tortoise named Tumbo. Tumbo liked to take his time. He wasn’t strong, but he was kind and always helped others. He believed that humility was more important than strength.
One hot day, news spread that there would be a contest to find the fastest animal. The lion, the cheetah, and the elephant were the favorites to win. Animals from all over gathered to watch.
Tumbo went to see his friend Kibo, an old owl. “Kibo, have you heard about the contest?” Tumbo asked.
“Yes, I have. But remember, Tumbo, many animals will be focused on showing off their speed and strength. Humility doesn’t often win races,” Kibo warned.
Tumbo thought for a moment. He knew he wasn’t the fastest, but he decided to join. Not to win, but to show that patience and humility were also important.
When Tumbo arrived at the contest, the other animals laughed. “What’s this slowpoke doing here?” the lion teased. “You don’t stand a chance, Tumbo!” the cheetah laughed.
Tumbo didn’t mind. He didn’t need to prove anything. He just wanted to show that he could keep going, no matter how slow.
The race began. The lion and cheetah took off so fast they left a trail of dust behind. The elephant marched with strength, his feet thumping as he went. Tumbo started slowly, taking one step at a time.
As the race went on, the fast animals started to tire. The cheetah, used to running fast, couldn’t keep up after a while. The lion, who had rushed ahead without thinking, was exhausted. The elephant, who had relied on strength, found the path too difficult to keep up the pace.
But Tumbo kept going. He was slow, yes, but he was steady. He didn’t rush. He didn’t give up. He kept moving at his own pace, passing the cheetah, the lion, and the elephant as they struggled. Tumbo passed the obstacles with patience and focus.
As the finish line came into sight, the lion, cheetah, and elephant were too tired to even see Tumbo coming. When they finally looked up, Tumbo was already crossing the line.
The animals stared in shock. How had this slow tortoise won the race? They realized something important: it wasn’t just about being fast or strong. Tumbo had shown them that patience, humility, and perseverance could take you farther than speed and strength.
The lion, cheetah, and elephant came over to Tumbo. “You’ve taught us a lesson,” the lion said, looking ashamed. “We thought speed and strength were all that mattered. But you showed us that staying steady and humble can win in the end.”
Tumbo smiled. “It’s not about being the fastest or the strongest,” he said. “It’s about never giving up and staying true to who you are.”
From that day on, the animals respected Tumbo, not because he was the fastest, but because he showed them the power of patience and humility. His victory became a story they would tell for generations.
Also Read: The Radiant Garden of Love
