“Get set…” even the air blowing through the jungle to the village stood still…
“Go!” He blew his trumpet with his long trunk; Buffalo and Toad sped off.
After a hundred yards, Buffalo was leading as he galloped off in obvious display of strength. He glanced back to see Toad trudging and struggling with all his strength to keep up but could not. With his confidence thus confirmed he continued to gallop without looking back.
After a while, he reached the first station and was alarmed to meet Toad resting… “Welcome, big guy; I decided to rest a while so you can catch up with me” he said “What? It is a lie, how could you…?” Buffalo stammered. It is impossible, he thought, but I left you behind since, how again can I…? He was stunned, as he continued to run, even faster than before, angrily he overtook Toad making sure he kicked some sand at him as he passed.
At the second rest station, Buffalo was again surprised to meet Toad. “Welcome, mister champion! Here you meet the champion of all champions. Catch me if you can!” as he sped off.
Buffalo could not believe his eyes, surely something is wrong somewhere, he thought, anyway, I am a better champion; he continued running even faster, rather than a minute rest which he had planned. Soon enough he overtook the toad again “You! What do to have to show me?” He asked Toad angrily.
At the third station again, he met Toad getting ready to go. “Today, all your boasts cannot aid you, as I claim my title from you for life!” Buffalo was enraged by this as he sputtered “You! You!! You!!!” Now he started to feel an headache deep down inside his head “Ha-ha, what is wrong?” he asked himself.
At the fourth rest station, he was totally confused as he met the same toad getting ready to go. He wondered, I cannot take this, I know am not sick but something is wrong somewhere. He could not risk to rest a minute as his title, pride and ego were now at stake. Once again he overtook Toad using his hindfeet to throw sand and pebbles on him as he passed. “Thank you-o, for your shower of pebbles, it is a blessing, mind you” Toad responded. The Buffalo, now annoyed sped off I haste without looking back.
He was perplexed to meet Toad croak loudly as Buffalo galloped to the fifth station on his side of the track.
“Now my pal, rest a while, I don’t want you to die as this is just a competition, okay?” Toad teased him. Now with a headache, Buffalo was totally confused and upset. He tried to rest for a minute then, he realised he had to leave the track to ease himself, what’s next? He excreted hot shit as he ran off again, Toad laughing at him Ha, ha, ha!” as he followed.
Again at the sixth station, he met the toad “Now I am mad!” Buffalo concluded. I know I am not running backwards but the harder I run the further behind I seem” he pondered.
Toad now came to the last bend before the finish line, having seen Buffalo coming far away with his head to the ground, he increased his speed. As he crossed the line he cut the colourful ribbon. The animals there were surprised to see Toad. They were silent for a moment. They could not believe what they saw. Then some of them started shouting.
“Toad has won” Toad has won “where is the champion” “where is Buffalo?” Then the officials there led by Horse carried him shoulder-high, hailing him “the winner!” ”Today the winner!!”
Buffalo, now sick, confused and almost mad, staggered across the line two minutes later, saw how they carried off Toad on the back of the Horse to the great hall to be presented as the winner. In shame, he cried “Lord, I have never been so disgraced in my life! What did I do wrong?” he asked himself but heard no answer, as tears came flowing from his eyes.