A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle

THE SCENE
The Seattle Special Olympics

THE ATHLETES
Nine physically and mentally disabled children

THE AIM
To cover hundred metres in the fastest time they can

The gun is fired. All nine contestants start out enthusiastically; the ribbon at the end their target. One little boy loses his balance and tumbles over a couple of times. He begins to cry.

Hearing the boy cry, his friends slow down and rush back to help him. All eight of them.

A girl with Down’s syndrome gives him a kiss to make him feel better.

Then, hand-in-hand, all of them walk to the finish line, all of them victors in more than one way.

The entire stadium gives them a standing ovation, applauding the camaraderie and selflessness of the children.

THE LESSON TO BE LEARNT
What matters in life is not winning for ourselves, but helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. No victory could be sweeter.