Here’s a twist on the old Turtle and the Hare tale for the Unicorn Challenge…

“So, first time hiking?” Usagi asked Kame, who Usagi thought was dressed ridiculously with his skinny jeans, bright yellow jacket, and a face shield. Unlike Kame, Usagi wore a black jacket, shorts, and no camping gears.

“No,” Kame answered, “but I like to be prepared.

“Sure,” Usagi stifled a laugh, “all that stuff you’re carrying will slow you down, just saying.”

“We’ll see.”

After a few minutes, unsatisfied with Kame’s pace, Usagi said, “Listen, let’s meet by the river. I think I will go for a run.” Before Kame could say anything, Usagi took off running.

A few hours later, when Kame reached the river – their stopping point for the day – Usagi was nowhere to be seen. “Hmm, he should be here by now.” Kame said before shrugging off his backpack and pulling the tent out for the night.

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Snuggly tugged in the blanket in the back of his car, Usagi snored loudly. After hiking two hours, he found his way back to his car via a shortcut. There was no way he would spend the night out there. “I’ll just drive to the end point early tomorrow morning,” he decided.

The next morning, just before sunrise, Kame packed up the tent and was on his way. He wondered if Usagi had given up on the quest or if something happened to him. However, when he reached the summit, there he was, Usagi, stood tall and proud. “What took you so long?” Usagi asked.

“I didn’t cheat, that’s why.”

(250 words)