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Run Your Own Race

Large banner saying 'West Valley Elementary FUN DAY, Relay Races, Sing-alongs!, Tag, Red Rover, Dodge Ball, Arts and Crafts'.

At school, lots and lots of team games were played such as kickball, freeze tag, dodge ball and Red Rover. Everyone had a fun time.

Then Miss Eddy led the students in sing-alongs. There was also an arts and crafts table for Kidz who enjoy arts and crafts. It was a fun, relaxing, goof-off kind of day.

For lunch, all the Kidz got picnic lunches of a sandwich, apple, potato chips and yummy cookie.

After lunch, the sports part of the day began. Now it was time for sports and racing.

Coach Davis, a sheep-man wearing running shoes and sweatpants, was in charge of the sports part of the day. Coach Davis blew his whistle to get everyone’s attention. He shouted across the blacktop.

“Who here wants to run in a two-mile race?!” Coach shouted, getting everyone’s attention.

“Who wants to run in the West Valley Elementary School marathon?” he asked. “It’s a long race – running two times around the school, the playing field and the parking lots.”

Coug raised his hand first.

“I want to RUN and I know that no one else will beat me!” he shouted, with his hand held high. “I’m the fastest here and I know I’m gonna WIN!”

No one else said anything. They didn’t want to race against Coug because they knew they couldn’t win. Even Kicker, as fast as she was, and the twins, Dusty and Rusty, didn’t raise their hands. They just didn’t want to race against Coug, because the older Coug got, the faster he became.

Coach Davis asked again. “Guys, we need more volunteers to run this race. Let’s make this a real race.”

But still no one volunteered. Then everyone heard a small, soft voice.

“I’ll run the marathon,” that soft voice said.

Everyone wondered who was brave enough to race against Coug? They looked around and saw that it was Bixie! She was holding her hand up to race.

This made all the other KidzAnimals laugh since Bixie was a box turtle. She was probably the slowest student in fourth grade. They laughed and laughed, until their teacher, Miss Eddy, told them not to tease.

Bixie just shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll just try my hardest,” she said. “That’s the best I can do.”