Raleigh was quickly learning the strength a few words can have in the grown rollie world. He was not prepared for a race he had never done it before. All he knew about racing was from what he had seen at race day or stories his family had told him. So, Raleigh knowing now that words are stronger and once, they are said cannot be unsaid made his way to the starting line. The older polee was at the line waiting for him just staring at Raleigh as he slowly walked towards the line. Raleigh felt something he had never felt before a rumbling in his middle. He didn't stop though it felt like the few steps to the line had taken him about 3 lifetimes. The older polee stared deep at him and said so only he could hear "I bet you wish you could take back what you said now? "Raleigh replied "I know what I said, and I will not take it back, Rolls Royce is the greatest racer that has ever rolled." The older polee said "We will see if I win you have to apologize to me." "I won't lose" A sound came over the ears of Raleigh it sounded as if underwater.
“Ready”
“Set”“GO”
The older polee was off and moving fast down the track, Raleigh finally realizing that the race had started, was off. This was Raleigh first real race, of course there were times when Raleigh and his friends long ago would play race down a tunnel or in their house, but this was different by far. The track was made for this, and Raleigh felt faster as he went. The entire time images of past racers kept popping into his mind like lightning flashes. Yes, Raleigh felt he was meant to be here. Raleigh slowly gained on the older Polee who had a generous lead but now he was getting very close. Raleigh caught up he was neck and neck with the older polee once he did this, he heard a laugh coming from the older polee.
“So, you think you can race, that you’re a big polee now huh. Let me show you what real racing is like”
The older polee swerved over and tried to hit Raleigh, Raleigh slowed down in time and moved back and attempted to pass him on the other side. The older polee did it again and swerved into his direction this time the older polee knocked Raleigh off course and Raleigh slammed into the wall. Raleigh’s head was dizzy, and he saw little caterpillars swirling around his head. The older polee crossed the finish line with Raleigh nowhere to be seen. The older polee is congratulated and cheered all the other polies were rushing him causing a panic in the excitement. The older polee just stood there watching the track waiting to see if Raleigh had the guts to finish.
Raleigh was laying on the track trying to understand how silly he felt everything he had said and talked about, he felt so right in his convictions, but the only true moment of realization comes from the winner of the race. The winner of the race is always right. As he lay there trying to regain some of his confidence an image came upon his sight, it was Rolls Royce and Rolls was laughing. Laughing and shaking his head.