A few years ago, during the Para-Olympics help in Seattle, nine participants, all mentally retarded or physically challenged, had aligned themselves for the 100 meter hurdles. Although at the given signal they didn't start exactly at that moment, nor orderly, they were determined to finish the race and thus win. All they had to do in order to win the race was to finish it.
All managed to finish it, except for a young athlete that fell over the runway passage of the first hedge. Because of the pain and of the sorrow, he began to cry. The others hearing his cry came back for him. They slowed down and eventually they stopped.
In that day an unprecedented situation occurred, eight out of the nine athletes returned in order to help the ninth athlete, which was in need of assistance. A girl with the down syndrome came up to the wounded to give him a kiss and to encourage him: "Do not worry, the pain will go away."
Although that day the world record was not beaten from any point of view, but the race was finished by all nice athletes which past the finish line together, holding each other with their arms.
The whole stadium stood up and cheered them for several minutes. They were even more enthusiastic in the presence of such a wonderful gesture then when a record was beaten.
Why was this possible?
Because we all know well, that basically, the most important thing in this life is not so much winning by yourself, but helping others to win as well, even if you have to slow down and maybe turn back to help others.
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"Getting together is a beginning; staying together is a step forward; working together is a success." Henry Ford
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