When the Giant Falls and the Underdog Wins

If I told you that the Hare and the Tortoise are about to race and if you were to place your bet, it would unequivocally be for the hare. We are all smart, logical thinkers and would of course bet on the hare to win the race. We know how fast a hare could run and how slow a tortoise can. But does the hare win the race? In Aesop’s fable, the tortoise wins it. Why? How?

Here is the gist of the story.

A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow. With a mocking laugh he asked, “Do you ever get anywhere?” “Yes,” replied the Tortoise, “and I get there sooner than you think. I’ll run a race and prove it.” The Hare was amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise and signed up for the race just for the fun of it. The race began and the Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel how ridiculous it was for him to race with a Tortoise, he lay down to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up. The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the sleeping Hare. When the Hare did wake up, the Tortoise was near the finish line. The Hare now ran his fastest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.

What could we learn from this story? It depends on whose side you take. I always cheer for the underdog and consider myself a tortoise and this story gives me hope. If I am consistent, I can win the race that is set in front of me. At times I can connect with the Hare, as I foolishly compete with people who are cut for a different race than me.

So, what could we learn from this story?

Lessons – When Facing the Underdog – [If you are the Hare]

1. Talent Alone Won’t Get You to The Finish Line – It can get you to the starting line but there are no guarantees to end the race well. Consistency and focus would get you to the finish line.
2. Do not Sign up For a Race That Wouldn’t Challenge You – You would have signed up for a race with a tortoise laughing and thinking how easily you could beat him. But the joke’s on you. Do not sign up for a race that may not challenge you. If the hare had competed with a cheetah, there is no way it would have felt bored and decided mid-way in its run to take a nap. It would have given it’s all. Competing with things that are higher, bigger and better than you keeps you fresh and alert. It also keeps you humble and motivated and helps you achieve your best.
3. Do not Compare Your Strengths with Other’s Weaknesses – When you compare your natural strength with other’s weakness, you don’t change. You don’t grow. In fact, you do less than what you are called to do.

Lessons – When Facing the Giant – [If you are the Tortoise]

• The Power of a Starting Line – The most important line that you’ll cross on race day is the start line. It takes a lot of courage to stand there and believe you can do it.
• Slow and Steady wins the race – It’s better to make 1% progress in the same direction than to make a leap in one thing and jump to the next thing and the next thing and the next thing. Before you know you have made millimeter progress in one thousand things and no great progress in one thing.
• Face the Giant with Confidence – Just as you have your strength remember the giant has his weakness. Remember you have nothing to lose. We shun discomfort or a challenge, but it’s the challenges that life throws at us that makes us stronger, more resilient, and even hungrier to succeed. 

So often we can compare ourselves with someone who is naturally gifted at something and look at them and say I can never be that. You may not have a body type like Arnold Schwarzenegger for you to compete for Mr. Olympia, however you can still shape it and keep it in the best form you can.

 You may not be gifted to run a marathon like Eliud Kipchoge who holds the world record for running the fastest marathon with a time of 2:01:09 (2022 Berlin Marathon). You can still run a marathon. You can still train and beat your own personal record and try to close the gap.

Your race should only be with you. Competing with and comparing yourself with others would only set you up for failure. Compete with who you were yesterday and try not to be the same. Grow!!!

To be a champion, compete; to be a great champion, compete with the best; but to be the greatest champion, compete with yourself.

Matshona Dhliwayo