Livora Gracely

The race committee expected bicycles.

A few participants arrived with roller skates.

One ambitious grandfather brought a wheelbarrow.

Then Grandma arrived with a rhinoceros.

Technically, it was a pet.

Technically, it had completed obedience training.

Technically, none of those facts felt reassuring.

Three other grandmas joined immediately.

This suggested either confidence or a complete breakdown of judgment.

The starting whistle blew.

The plan was simple.

Ride calmly.

Wave politely.

Finish with dignity.

The rhinoceros disagreed.

Apparently it believed the event was a personal challenge.

Within seconds, the grandmas were no longer riding the rhinoceros.

They were accompanying it.

One grandma sat on top screaming instructions.

Another held a rope attached to the horn.

The rope contributed emotionally.

The rhinoceros continued accelerating.

Dust filled the air.

Spectators lost visual contact.

Several judges began scoring based on sound alone.

The grandmas passed the finish line.

Then the next village.

Then a vegetable market.

Then, according to one witness, a wedding.

Hours later they finally returned.

The rhinoceros appeared delighted.

The grandmas appeared rearranged.

Naturally, they won first place.

Not because they were fastest.

Nobody could verify that.

The judges simply agreed that any team willing to continue after accidentally leaving the race deserved recognition.

The rhinoceros received a trophy too.

It immediately started running again.

Nobody chased it.

The grandmas had learned something important.

Adventure is fun.

Recovery is faster without a rhinoceros. 🦏🏆