In a thick and green forest, a spot was cleared for a race between the three fastest small animals. Leo the Hare, naturally swift, stretched lazily. “My speed is a gift; I hardly need to prepare. A few light hops in the meadow and I’ll call it training.”
Mia the Fox, resourceful and clever, arrived with a scroll of maps and a tonic. “I’ve found a secret path that cuts off a quarter of the distance. Why exert myself excessively when there are smarter ways to win?”
Finn the Badger emerged, dusting himself off after a long, grueling run. He said, “That was a tough training. My muscles ache, but I have the practice now. You guys are not going to make it without practice.”
Leo laughed, and Mia scoffed.
When the starting horn blew, Leo sprinted forward, and Mia went into her hidden trail. Finn settled into a steady pace.
Halfway through the race, Leo’s powerful, natural speed suddenly failed him. His legs felt heavy and were burning; he had to slow down to a slow jog.
Mia’s shortcut path was obstructed by a huge, thick log, blocking the narrow trail. She wasted precious time climbing up and over the slippery wood, and the hard climb used up much of her energy.
Finn kept his steady pace. He moved right past the exhausted Leo, then quickly ran by Mia as she jumped down from the log. He kept his feet moving and easily won the race.
He said, “Was I not right?”
The value of a thing is often best measured by the effort required to acquire it.