The Race Goes to the Swiftest

In the beginning they told us adversity would make us strong. It made sense to us, like exercise in the gymnasium. Hard work made you strong. Everyone knew this. So we suffered adversity, knowing a better time was coming, and that we would be able to enjoy it more when it came because we had been strong. We hadn’t cowered or quit. Our lives were difficult at the start, but we did not falter. We had the minds of men on tightropes. The winds blew hard, coming from one direction one day and from another the next. But the rope led to a magnificent destination, of that we were sure. So as the winds blew, hard one moment then softly the next, we pressed ahead, mostly taking shorter steps, a trembling advance, like men with rickets. In the distance beyond, we could hear music and laughter. Perhaps they had heard of our ordeal, had invited guests to celebrate our fortitude, our early advance. Or perhaps no one had heard of us, and what we were hearing was a celebration for someone else. Perhaps our beliefs were naive, our efforts meaningless, our peril really of no concern to anyone but ourselves. Such thoughts invaded the mind of each man, and got in further with some than with others. Soon these thoughts became disturbing. We had to try to manage each other’s despair, also the occasional furious outburst. A sense of revolt rose up in some, a heartfelt desire to force a transparent accounting of our situation. What would our efforts gain us, exactly?, some of us wanted to ask. Was there a plan we could review, someone who could explain a timetable, give us the straightforward what-for-what? We debated whom to contact, how to get word out about our worsening mental condition, though there was no doubt that most of us were strong and determined men. We were doing our part, even though some had misgivings. We sent a man out to make contact with the directors. He didn’t return. One day a message came. Be patient, it said. A description of the heaven we were meant for was included, a truly beautiful landscape of tranquility and fulfillment. The author told us he was sympathetic to our plight and its unanticipated duration. He said others were suffering to a greater degree, because they were not strong. Our time was coming, he said, and he was doing all he could to make the path easier. Our food,