The Ostrich and the Stolen Rain

A selfish Ostrich was also a powerful rain-magician. During a terrible drought, he kept all the rain for himself, stored in a magic gourd. The other animals were dying of thirst. They begged him to share the rain, but he refused. A clever warrior decided to trick him. He knew that the Ostrich was very proud of his running speed. The warrior challenged him to a race. "If I win," said the warrior, "you must release the rain." The Ostrich, knowing no man could outrun him, agreed. The race began. The warrior did not try to run. Instead, he had placed his brothers and cousins, all dressed alike, at different points along the race course. Every time the Ostrich looked up, he saw the "warrior" far ahead of him. The Ostrich ran harder and harder, trying to catch the impossible man, until he was completely exhausted. As the Ostrich collapsed, the real warrior, who had been waiting at the finish line, snatched the rain-gourd, smashed it on the ground, and released the rain for all the animals.