The Race

Blacky bear and Jumbo elephant lived in Champakvan. Both were courageous and wanted to achieve something. But everyone ridiculed them and thought they were clumsy and lazy because they were fat.

- Kumud Kumar

They were looking out for an opportunity to prove their worth. They wanted to show everyone that they were not lazy.

The king of Champakvan, Shersingh lion, was very interested in sports. He followed the news of the Tokyo Olympics in magazines and watched the news on some TV channels. He thought, I wish there was a big sports event like the Olympics in our forest too!

One day, he told his minister, Cheeku rabbit, what was on his mind.

After hearing the king, Cheeku said, "Your Highness, many animals are still afraid of the spread of Coronavirus, so we cannot organise a big sporting event like the Olympics, but we can organise a single event like a running race."

"How will that be any different?" asked King Shersingh, surprised.

"Because, Your Highness, our competition will be unique. We will not organise it in the stadium but on the forest's bumpy roads. Anyone can run on a straight and flat path, a runner with real courage will run on a bumpy road."

"Wow, Minister! I'm proud of your intelligence. With your idea, there will be no crowd and everyone will have fun. It's your responsibility to organise it."

Cheeku started making plans to conduct the competition. He met the Sports Minister, Gigi giraffe and chose the worst road in the forest-it was very rough. To complete the race, participants have to cross rivers and streams, bumpy land, small hills, and many bushes. The minister was looking for a five-kilometre-long route.

The forest contractor, Baddy fox, was alert as soon as he discovered that the track was being considered for a competitive race. He made a deal with the government engineer, Rocky mongoose.

Baddy thought that a five-kilometre-long track would have to be prepared. The contract would be worth at least 2 crore rupees, and if he got it, then both he and Rocky would earn good money.