Sometimes, strength and speed are not the key to success, but rather wisdom and planning. This is a story of two identical twins, one wise and the other greedy, and how a single race revealed the true difference between them.
The Race Against the Sun
There once were identical twins, named Samuel and Thomas. They looked so much alike that even their mother found it hard to tell them apart. However, beneath this similar appearance, they were completely different from each other. Samuel was generous and calm, while Thomas was greedy and selfish.
As the twins grew up, their father wanted to divide his fortune equally between them. But Thomas greedily disagreed, arguing, "Whoever proves to be stronger and smarter should get a bigger share!" Samuel agreed to the challenge.
The father decided to organize a fair competition. He told them, "You will walk for as long as you can, and you must return home before sunset. The fortune will be divided according to the distance each of you covers." There was one important rule: no watches were allowed.
The next day, under the hot sun, the race began. Samuel walked at a slow and steady pace, saving his energy. But Thomas, blinded by greed and a desire to win the biggest prize, broke into a sprint.
With his wisdom, Samuel knew that the day is divided into two halves, and the time it takes to go out is the same time he would need to come back. So, when the sun was at its highest point in the sky, signaling noon, Samuel calmly turned around and began his journey home.
But Thomas didn't stop. He looked at the distance Samuel had walked and laughed. He kept going, ignoring the sun as it began to set. "I'll walk twice as far and still run back quickly!" he thought to himself.
However, when the sun started to turn orange, Thomas realized he was too late. He tried to run with all his might, but his tired legs couldn't carry him. Before he was even halfway back, the sun disappeared completely, and darkness swallowed the path. He arrived home late, exhausted, and had lost the race. He lost everything because of his greed.
🎯 Enrichment & Learning
Values and Lessons Learned
- Greed leads to loss: The strong desire to get more without thinking can make us lose everything.
- Wisdom over Strength: Samuel won not because he was faster, but because he used his mind and planned wisely.
- The Importance of Self-Control: Knowing when to stop is a skill just as important as knowing when to start.
- Proper Planning is Key to Success: Samuel had a clear plan based on observing nature (the sun), while Thomas had no plan but greed.
Comprehension Questions
- What was the main personality difference between Samuel and Thomas?
- What was the competition their father organized?
- What was the most important rule of the competition?
- How did Samuel know when he should turn back?
- Why did Thomas lose the race in the end?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Do you think the father's competition was fair? Why or why not?
- If you were Thomas, what would you have done differently?
- Is wanting more always a bad thing? When does wanting more become harmful greed?
Practical Application Questions
- Think of a time you had to manage your time to finish a task (like homework). How did you do it?
- What helps you make a plan and stick to it?
- How do you know when you should stop doing something, even if you want to continue?
🎨 Interactive Content
Fun Activities
- Sun Watching: On a sunny day, go outside and try to guess the time based on the sun's position and the length of your shadow.
- Planning Game: Draw a simple map and set a start and end point. Plan the best route to get back before "sunset" (a set time).
- Split-Screen Drawing: Draw a picture divided in half: one side shows Samuel returning home to a beautiful sunset, and the other side shows Thomas lost in the dark.