Behind the forest on a big frozen pond, a big event took place in winter. An important hockey game. Two interesting teams played against each other. On one side there were the foxes and on the other the bears. They were all training hard. They were learning to pass, skate fast and turn. When the big day came for the game, all the animals of the forest sat around the pond. Some had big signs that said “Foxes go”. Others wore bear T-shirts. Everyone was cheering for someone else.
The judge was an owl, the wisest animal in the forest. Flying over the pond, she could see everything beautifully from above and could judge from the best distance. In the last minutes before the game, everyone was nervous. The animals were waiting impatiently in their places, and the foxes and bears were skating on the ice, when suddenly the owl blew its whistle and everything began.
The bears were using their strength. They were shooting incredible shots at the goal with their hockey sticks. They were so big, all they had to do was make a couple of bounces on the ice and they were right there at the net. The foxes tried really hard, but they still couldn’t get past the big bears. When it was half time, they all sat down on the downed tree trunks that were around the pond. These were like benches in the dugout. The bears were pleased with how well they were doing, but the foxes were unhappy. They sat side by side, their heads down, massaging their sore muscles with their paws.
The badger, who was a spectator, noticed it. He felt sorry for the foxes. He knew how hard they were trying. He walked up to them in the stand and said: “It’s hard, isn’t it?” The foxes just nodded their heads in agreement. The badger continued, “But did you know that you can win? You just have to go about it differently. You’re not strong like bears, but you’re smart and agile. Take advantage of being smaller and faster. Slip through them. You don’t need their strength, you have something else.” The foxes looked at each other and realized the badger was right. They can’t compare to bears in strength, but they benefit from something else.
And so they played the rest of the game differently. Slipping under the bears’ feet, skating away. Before the bears could turn around, the puck was in the net. The whole game ended in a tie. Both teams received first place medals for their efforts and fair play. Both the bears and the foxes were glad it worked out that way.
The animals still play hockey on the pond today. Other animals have learned it too. And thanks to the foxes, everyone now knows that it doesn’t matter how big and strong they are, but how they use what they have. And so even the smallest ones know they can achieve a place of honor.
