The Dream of Becoming the First Voter

The jungle was buzzing with excitement because the Forest Manager elections were approaching.

- Kusum Agrawal

These days, the jungle looks extra decorated. Posters were hanging among the leaves on the trees that said:

“Every animal must vote!”

“Voting is the true sign of responsibility!”

One day before the election, Lion Maharaj climbed a high rock and made an announcement, “Tomorrow is the festival of democracy in the jungle! Small or big, fast or slow—every vote is equally valuable! So, everyone must vote.”

As soon as they heard this, the jungle became very lively. Toby elephant washed his trunk carefully because he believed voting should be done with a clean body and mind. Olly deer ran around reminding everyone, “Don’t forget to carry your ID card!”

All the monkeys jumped from tree to tree, announcing to everyone, “Stand in a line, no pushing each other!”

Mary parrot was memorising her speech, “Development! Development! Development! Only voting will bring development to the jungle.”

But the most excited of all was Toto tortoise.

Toto decided firmly in his heart: “This time I will be the first voter! Every year Ruby rabbit is the first voter, but I won’t let that happen this time. I won't even tell him my plan. I'll quietly leave early. He always wants to be first—let’s see now!”

Then he thought, “I may walk slowly, but if I leave as soon as dawn breaks, I will surely arrive first. That way, I can be the first voter.”