Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

The Great Tortoise Race - The Saga of Slowpoke

Mr. O’Brien, the renowned tortoise breeder, had finally achieved his dream - a tortoise race.

He’d meticulously selected two contestants from his prime lot, Slowpoke and Sluggard, carefully analyzed and recorded their “racing” stats. All was set for the grand event. Townsfolk assembled with bated breath, bets were placed, flags were waving, and an absurd amount of carrot cake had been baked.

With a pop of a champagne cork, the race began. Slowpoke made a staggering start, plodding a full inch forward. Sluggard, displaying classic strategy, did not move at all, which, according to O’Brien, was “playing the long game”.

Hours ticked by. The crowd had dwindled. Only the die-hard fans (O’Brien and his snoring mother) remained.

"How long is this going to take?" complained Mrs. O’Brien, waking up. "I'm missing my bridge game for this!"

"In the realm of tortoise racing, Mom," O’Brien tried to sound profound, "it's not about the destination, but the journey."

"Indeed," sighed his mom, pointing at the finish line where Sluggard was finally moving... backward.

O’Brien's face fell. In the distance, he heard laughter. Looking back, he saw Slowpoke chewing on the carrot cake left on the picnic tables.

"Some race," chuckled Mrs. O’Brien, reaching for her coat, "at least we’ve got enough carrot cake to feed the entire town."

"Yes, Mom," he sighed. His tortoise race might have been a comedy of errors, but there was always next year. And he still had tortoises...and a mountain of carrot cake