The Wonderful World of Rudolpha: The race across the river

Every year, on the last Saturday before Christmas, the polar bears in the North Pole compete in a 60-mile race across White Whale River. Bear cubs can participate by crossing the thinnest part of the river, still a respectable 15 miles.

On the starting line, Snowflake is one of 57 swimmers. He’s nervous and excited about his first race. Across the river, he can see his parents, grandma, his friends from the North Pole Animal Day Care and his teacher, Rudolpha the reindeer, supporting him. He thinks about what his father, the reigning champion of the race, told him during their training sessions in Floe Creek: “keep your rhythm, look in front of you and don’t forget to breathe.”

Santa shouts, “ho, ho, ho—go” to signal the start of the race.

Snowflake dives into the water and swims. He starts with a strong but steady pace that he knows he can maintain for a long time. His friend Swifty passes him at top speed and is soon out of sight. Slightly increasing his speed, Snowflake pulls ahead of the pack. Stroke after stroke, he maintains a comfortable lead on the other racers.

As the shore and finish line come into view, Snowflake sees Swifty treading water and looking distressed. Snowflake hesitates. Just a few more minutes and he could win the race. But he knows that if he was in his friend’s place, he’d want somebody to help him.

Snowflake stops where Swifty is struggling to keep moving. “Come on! You’re almost there. Don’t give up!” he says.

“I can’t. I’m so tired,” gasps his friend.

“Of course you can! Just try, you’re almost there.” With encouragement and a few nudges, Snowflake and his friend make it to the finish line.

“Tied for seventh place,” says Swifty sadly. “If you hadn’t stopped to help me, you would have been a champion like your father.”

“Maybe, but my dad says that helping others is more important than winning,” answers Snowflake.

Snowflake’s supporters approach him. “What a wonderful thing you did, son. I’m proud of you,” says his mother, hugging him.

“That’s my boy!” repeats his father to anyone that will listen.

“Congratulations, Snowflake, that was wonderful,” says Rudolpha. “Who won the race?”

Nobody in the group knows, but the reaction to Snowflake helping his friend makes him feel as though he’s a winner.

Written by Johannie Dufour and Sarah Beauregard
Translated by Cyan Caruso-Comas