Reading time: 5 minThe market square was a hive of activity. The pigeons fluttered around excitedly, chattering and picking up a few grains lying around here and there.
It was the day the announcement for the big race was made and everyone was talking about it. Betty, the smallest and most agile pigeon on the island, perched inconspicuously on a windowsill and pricked up her ears curiously.
“Joe is sure to win again!” shouted a fat pigeon called Brian. “He’s the strongest flyer far and wide!”
“But did you hear?” another pigeon cooed excitedly. “The race is supposed to be harder than ever this year! Stronger winds, a field of fog and the path over the cliffs have been added!”
Betty listened spellbound. Her wings twitched slightly as she thought about what it would be like to take part herself. No one had ever seen such a small pigeon in a race before. She imagined herself weaving through the air, feeling the wind and skillfully navigating through the narrow passages.
Suddenly Joe announced: “The big race is in a week’s time! Who dares to compete against me?” The other pigeons cooed enthusiastically. Betty continued to listen as she sat in her seat under the old oak tree. Her heart was beating faster. Was it really that crazy to think of joining in?
“Oh Betty, you’re much too small,” said Donna, who always spoke a little too loudly. “Races like this are not for you.”
In the evening, Betty sat alone on her favorite perch in the fork of a branch and watched the other pigeons practicing their flying maneuvers. Kevin and Ryan, Joe’s best friends, boasted loudly about their speed
“I bet I’m faster than the wind!” Ryan shouted, and Kevin replied: “The wind? It doesn’t stand a chance against me!” Betty grinned. She may have been small, but she knew she was nimble and agile. “Maybe, just maybe…” she murmured quietly to herself.
On the day of the race, the market square was full of pigeons. Joe was at the front as usual, flanked by Kevin and Ryan, his most loyal companions. Betty slipped a little nervously into the back row. Nobody noticed her – until the starting bell sounded and the pigeons took to the air with a thunderous flutter.
The first stage led across the open sea, where the strong winds threw many a sailor off course. Joe, Kevin and Ryan struggled with wide wings, but Betty wisely kept to the edge of the group, where the wind was weaker
She watched as the others wrestled with the gusts and took the opportunity to pass them by. On the horizon, she could see the old lighthouse where the island keeper William had just hoisted the flag. Its red roof shone like a signal in the distance. “Thank you, William,” thought Betty, “you’re showing me the way.”
In the second section, the pigeons had to fly over the cliffs, which featured sudden gusts and treacherous updrafts. Joe flew ahead, but his strength seemed to be waning
Kevin was already far behind, and Ryan barely managed to keep his altitude. Betty, on the other hand, was in her element. Her small wings made her agile and she shot through the air currents like an arrow
Halfway down, she saw Ryan sitting on a rock, confused and exhausted. “Ryan, are you all right?” asked Betty. Ryan nodded weakly. “I got lost. The wind just pushed me away.”
Betty didn’t think twice. “Come with me, I know a safe way,” she said and led him along the cliffs. “You always have to follow the big rocks,” she explained. Ryan followed her and managed to get back on course. “Thank you, Betty! I would have given up without you,” he said gratefully.
The last stage led through a dense fog that enveloped the pigeons like a gray shroud. Many stopped or circled uncertainly. Joe was still in front, but he fluttered restlessly, with no clear direction
Betty searched for the familiar waypoints she knew from her flights around the island. Once again it was the lighthouse, its light shimmering faintly through the fog. She held on to it while the others remained undecided. “Almost there,” she thought and held her course.
When Betty emerged from the fog, she was suddenly all alone. The finish line was in front of her and the other pigeons were far behind. She crossed the line with one last powerful flap of her wings.
The other pigeons arrived one by one. Joe came in panting in second place, with ruffled feathers and a puzzled look on his face. “How did you manage that?” he asked incredulously
Ryan blurted out: “Betty showed me the way! She’s the only one who really knew where she was going.” The other pigeons joined in. “Betty is a hero!” shouted Donna, and Kevin nodded in agreement.
While the pigeons cheered, Betty looked over to the lighthouse. William stood at the top of the gallery and waved to her. She smiled and fluttered her wings proudly.
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