The Elephant and the Chameleon's Challenge

The Elephant, proud of his size, declared that he was the most important animal because he was the biggest. The tiny Chameleon challenged him. "Size is not importance," the Chameleon said. "Let us have a contest. We will see who can remain in the same spot the longest without moving." The Elephant laughed and agreed. He stood still in a clearing, a great mountain of flesh. The Chameleon simply crawled onto the Elephant's back and stayed there. A day passed, and the Elephant grew hungry and thirsty. He had to move to the river to drink. As he moved, the Chameleon was still on his back, perfectly still. "I have won," said the Chameleon. "You had to move, but I did not." The Elephant was humbled, having been defeated by a creature so small he had not even noticed it was there. The moral is that the small and patient can often ride the strength of the great and impatient to victory.