Finn Fox and the Race He Didn’t Win: Learning to lose with kindness and let others have their turn to shine

 Finn Fox and the Race He Didn’t Win

Learning to lose with kindness and let others have their turn to shine

The Moral of Our Story

When you play a game or race, remember from the start,
That winning is a happy hope, but kindness is your part,
For someone else may finish first despite your strongest try,
And disappointment sometimes brings a frown, a sigh, a cry,
Yet feeling sad does not mean you should throw or shout or blame,
Or make your friends feel sorry that they joined you in the game,
So take a breath, congratulate, and let their gladness glow,
For how you treat another shows the way you choose to grow.

Finn Fox had practiced all week for the Meadow Games.

He raced from the oak tree to the fence. He leaped over little logs. He balanced a beanbag on his head until his ears poked through the corners.

“I am going to win everything,” he announced at breakfast.

Mother Fox set down her spoon.

“Everything?”

“Every race. Every game. Every ribbon.”

“That would leave very few ribbons for anyone else,” she said.

Finn grinned.

“They can win next year.”

At the meadow, colorful flags fluttered above the grass. Benny Badger arranged beanbags beside a basket. Ruby Rabbit stretched her legs. Daisy Deer waited by the starting line.

Coach Clara Chipmunk raised a little bell.

“Our first event is the meadow dash!”

Finn took his place beside Ruby and Daisy.

He pictured a blue ribbon pinned to his shirt.

Ding!

Off they ran.

Finn’s paws flew over the ground. His tail streamed behind him.

But Ruby was quick.

Very quick.

She crossed the finish line one hop ahead.

“I did it!” she cried.

Finn stopped.

His ears flattened.

“No fair!”

Ruby’s smile faded.

“What wasn’t fair?” Clara asked.

Finn searched for an answer.

“She’s a rabbit!”

“Yes,” Clara said gently. “And you are a fox. You both started at the same line and followed the same rules.”

Finn kicked at a clump of grass.

“I don’t like this race.”

He turned away while Clara gave Ruby her ribbon.

At the beanbag toss, Finn was certain things would improve.

He aimed.

He threw.

His first beanbag landed beside the basket.

His second bumped the rim.

His third went straight in.

“Good throw!” Benny called.

Then Benny stepped up.

One beanbag went in.

Then another.

Then a third.

Benny clapped his paws.

Finn snatched his empty practice cup from the grass and flung it down.

“I’m done! This whole game is stupid!”

The cup bounced against Daisy’s hoof.

Daisy stepped back.

Clara walked over.

“Finn, throwing things is not safe. Please pick up your cup.”

Finn folded his arms.

“I don’t want to.”

Clara waited beside him.

After a moment, Finn picked it up.

“You may take a break with me,” she said.

“I don’t need a break.”

But his face was hot, his paws were tight, and he suddenly felt like crying.

They sat beneath a shady tree.

For a little while, Finn said nothing.

Clara stayed nearby without asking him to talk.

Finally, he whispered, “I practiced.”

“I know.”

“And I still lost.”

“That happens.”

Finn blinked hard.

“I wanted a ribbon.”

“Of course you did. It is disappointing when something matters to you and does not go the way you hoped.”

“Then why can’t I be mad?”

“You can feel mad,” Clara said. “But you still need to keep your paws, your words, and other people safe.”

Finn looked toward Daisy.

“I didn’t mean to hit her.”

“You can tell her that, and apologize for throwing the cup.”

Across the meadow, Benny showed Ruby his ribbon.

Finn pulled a leaf apart.

“I don’t want to congratulate them.”

“Because you wish you had won?”

Finn nodded.

Clara picked up a smooth pebble.

“Imagine you worked hard, won a game, and wanted to celebrate. How would you feel if your friend shouted that the game was stupid?”

Finn rubbed his nose.

“Like my winning was a bad thing.”

“Was Benny wrong to do well?”

“No.”

“Was Ruby?”

Finn shook his head.

“They are allowed to be happy,” he said quietly.

“Yes. And you are allowed to need a little time before you feel ready to join them.”

Clara showed him a simple way to settle himself.

First, unclench his paws.

Then, breathe slowly.

Then, name the feeling.

“I’m disappointed,” Finn said.

Finally, choose what to do next.

Finn watched a ladybug climb a blade of grass.

“I can try again.”

“You can.”

“And maybe I won’t win again.”

“That is possible too.”

Finn considered this.

It was not his favorite possibility.

But it was possible.

When he returned, Daisy was stacking cups.

“I’m sorry I threw mine,” he told her. “It could have hurt you.”

“Thank you,” she said.

He found Benny and Ruby.

“You both did really well.”

“Thanks,” Benny said. “Your last throw was great.”

Ruby held up her ribbon.

“I practiced starts with my sister.”

Finn had practiced running, but never starting.

“Could you show me sometime?”

“Sure!”

The last event was a partner relay.

Finn and Benny had to carry a beanbag between two small wooden paddles, walk around a marker, and return without dropping it.

Halfway around, their beanbag slipped.

Plop.

Finn’s stomach tightened.

Ahead, Ruby and Daisy were already turning toward home.

For one moment, he wanted to shout.

Instead, he loosened his paws.

He breathed.

“Let’s pick it up,” he told Benny.

They finished last.

Benny looked worried.

“Sorry I wobbled.”

“I wobbled too,” Finn said.

Then they walked over to congratulate the winners.

On the way home, Mother Fox asked, “How were the games?”

“I didn’t win a ribbon.”

“That sounds disappointing.”

“It was.”

Finn walked a few more steps.

“Ruby is going to help me practice. And Benny wants me on his team next time.”

“Will you play again?”

Finn nodded.

“I still want to win.”

Mother Fox smiled.

“That is all right.”

“But if someone else wins,” Finn added, “I don’t have to make them wish they hadn’t.”

His tail lifted.

“Besides, I want my friends to keep wanting to play with me.”

A Poem to Remember

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,
Kindness is a choice to choose,
Feel your feelings, breathe them through,
Choose the kindest thing to do,
Cheer a friend who wins today,
Let respect be how you play,
Try again, enjoy the fun,
Friendship lasts when games are done.

Let’s Talk About the Story

1. Which of Finn’s actions hurt the fun for other players, and what did he do to make things better?
2. What is the difference between feeling disappointed and treating others unkindly because you lost?
3. What could you say to yourself and to the winner the next time you lose a game?

Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller and Author