Brandon had always been thought of as slow. He talked slowly; he walked slowly; he read slowly and he ate slowly. He was a nine-year-old boy in fourth grade. Many of Brandons classmates made fun of him because he could not process information quickly.
Mom, I dont mean to be so slow, he told his Mother. I know, sweetheart, she always replied to him. You remember the story of The Tortoise and the Hare, dont you? Yes. Its one of my favorite stories because the tortoise reminds me of me. Thats right. Being slow and deliberate can have a tremendous advantage. Sweetheart, youre gonna find something that you really like to do that suits you that other people will value. Mark my word. Are you sure, Mom? Im tired of being thought of as slo-mo. Slo-mo is a no-go. That name will go away sooner than you think. Brandon began to speak. Just trust me on this, son, his Mom interrupted. Moms know these kinds of things. Alright, Mom.
The next day, Brandon excitedly came home with a flyer about a soapbox derby event to be held at the local park. Mom! yelled Brandon. Whats all the fuss about, honey? she replied. You were right! About what? The thing you said about something I really...