This story is a definite attempt to make the child aware of a new relationship in his familiar environment.
The verse is for the older children. The story has lent itself well to dramatization.
SPEED
Once there was a big beautiful white ox. His back was broad, his horns were long and his eyes were large and gentle. He went slowly sauntering down the road one sunshiny summer day. As he walked along he swung from side to side carefully putting down his small feet. And this is what he thought:
“I am pleased with myself—so large, so broad, so strong am I. Is there anyone else who can pull so heavy a load? Is there anyone else who can plow so straight a furrow? What would the world do without me?”
Just then he heard something tearing along the road behind him. “Clopperty, clopperty, clopperty, clopperty.” In a moment up dashed a big, black horse.
“Greetings,” lowed the ox, slowly turning his large gentle eyes on the excited horse. “Why such haste, my brother?” The horse tossed his mane. “I’m in a hurry,” he snorted, “because I’m made to go fast. Why, I can go ten miles while you crawl one! The world has no more use for a great white snail like you. But if you want speed, I’m just what you need. Watch how fast I go!” and clopperty, clopperty he was off down the road. As the ox watched the horse disappear he thought of what he had heard.
“He called me a great white snail! He said he could go ten miles while I crawled one! Surely this swift horse is more wonderful than I!”