Off the Beaten Track

Turtle and Hare: Off the Beaten Track

after “The Rematch,” "Changing the Narrative," "Interior Turmoil," and "Beat Bias" by Lauren Kimball

by Mariah Harned

The Rematch

Hare rubs his bleary eyes as he stumbles up to the water station. There’s no time to rest. Turtle’s tromping down the hill behind him. And he mustn’t fall asleep this time. Only the crowd’s cheers at his graceful leap across the finish line could erase the humiliation of having been beaten by a clumsy turtle.

Ears drooping behind his back, Hare looks up at the young mother hare and down at the pitcher in her paw. “No water,” he says. “Double shot espresso. I’m not losing to this guy again.”

A giggle calls his attention to the toddler bouncing at their feet. “Mommy? Did Misther Hare fall asleep again?”

With a scowl, Hare gulps the cup of espresso and leaps back into the race.

Changing the Narrative

Hare staggers over the finish line, gasping for breath. He looks over his shoulder and finds that, to his relief, Turtle is still plodding around the last bend. Victory! Caffeine pounding through his veins, Hare rests his forepaws on his knees and glances up at the approaching reporter. “Here’s your headline: Slow and steady doesn’t win the race. Print that.”

The reporter scribbles in his notepad before looking up at Hare, his ball cap askew on his long ears. “So, fast and hopped up on caffeine does?”

Interior Turmoil

Hare stares down into the gloomy shadows of the rabbit hole at his feet, clutching his aching head. Maybe that was one cup of coffee too many, he muses. But he still needs something to keep him going. Not another double shot of espresso, but something else. Strange. He used to dream about that triumphant moment when he would finally win the race. But now that he’s reached his goal in life…now what?

Too deep in thought, he almost doesn’t notice when a cool, scaly paw touches his shoulder. “Hare, you seem down. Maybe you should talk to someone.”

Hare looks up at Turtle’s friendly face. Amazing. His long-time rival seems to hold no grudge against him. Is it possible that he’s taken the race too seriously? He takes a deep breath. “You’re right.” And he knows exactly who to talk to.

Beat Bias

The melodic squeal of Hare’s electric guitar melds with the steady drone of Turtle’s drums. Once the last note fades away, Hare grins at his new best friend and bandmate. “You’re dragging,” he complains.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Turtle looks down his nose in mock severity. “I thought you were rushing.”

Hare giggles, and Turtle tosses a drumstick at him with a chortle.

With the start of a new friendship comes the promise of endless adventures together. This is going to be the best summer ever.