A fictional racing fable set in an imagined garden in Hokkaido.
In an imagined garden in Hokkaido, the annual koi race was the event everyone talked about. On race morning, neighbors gathered at the pond with opinions about every competitor. Almost nobody mentioned Kiko.
The course curved around the pond’s central planting and ended beneath a bright banner. Spectators leaned forward as the fish gathered at the start. Kiko checked the first turn, while his rivals checked one another.
Kiko was small, orange and white, and easy to overlook beside the larger fish. In the weeks before the race, he had learned the course and practiced his turns. He knew he could not make himself bigger. He could make himself ready.
As the race began, the koi swam frantically towards the finish line, with Kiko trailing close behind. The crowd cheered as their favorite koi swam towards victory. Kiko pushed himself harder and harder, determined to win.
But suddenly, a larger koi swam in front of Kiko, blocking his way. Kiko was discouraged but refused to give up. He swam around the larger koi and continued towards the finish line.
As the race came to an end, Kiko and the larger koi were neck and neck. The crowd held their breath as they watched the two fish approach the finish line. And in the final moment, Kiko pushed himself forward and crossed the finish line first.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, and Kiko's owner was overjoyed. Kiko had won the grand prize, a large bag of premium koi food and a beautiful trophy.
Kiko’s trophy took its place by the garden window. When the next year’s race approached, someone pointed to the smallest fish and said, “Remember Kiko.” This time, everyone took a second look.
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