Illustrated by Neal Stepp

THE GREAT CONTEST OF DOBBLELAND LAKE

by Janie Gregory

The big day was here. I'd trained and prepared.
The great contest of Dobbles took place on town square.

"Dad, do you think I've got what it takes
To win the great contest of Dobbleland Lake?"

"Oh son many grownups have talents so glorious.
But you do your best and you'll reign victorious.
You may not return with the town's greatest prize
But you'll be the winner by far in my eyes."

"Hear-ye, hear-ye," the King's Scribe declared,
"The great contest of Dobbles begins now on town square."

"Contest number one is to see how fast you can run."

The runners assembled. King's Scribe read the rules.
A hundred yard dash past the Dobbleland pool.

I sized up the grownups lined up at the start.
I can outrun them, but not Alfred VanArt.

That tiger is quick, no one denies
I thought as he talked and scowled in my eyes.
"Untie those shoes, boy, relax and observe.
My speed is unequaled, my ambition unswerved."

"Ready - set - go!" King's scribe launched our race.
Then hundreds of Dobbles sped off with no trace.

I ran with great speed, as if dodging a bath.
Then a fellow young Dobble fell down in my path.

"My dear friend, arise, the finish line waits."
"No, it can't happen, my legs crack with breaks."

So he steadied his weight on my shoulders and we
Crossed the line at the finish the last Dobbles indeed.

The crowd chanted with praises, balloons launched and burst
For that tiger VanArt had crossed the line first.

"Contest number two is to test your IQ."

Rochester Neverly, the town's wisest owl
Sat down beside me and snarled and growled.
"Put down your pen boy. I'm filled with all knowledge.
I learned at the prep school and Dobbleland College."

King's Scribe passed out tests, saying, "Answers fill in.
When the clock ticks 1:30, please lay down your pen."

I read question one then scanned down the lists
Of multiple choices and hypothetical "what if's."
Curiosity arose so I took my exam.
I approached our King's scribe, and my questions began.

"Excuse me for asking but it seems so absurd
That a train would be travelling at speed thirty-third
And why is it heading south and not east
What comes of the passengers when both trains don't meet?
And what about angles, right and obtuse,
Squares, circles, tangents, cubes and square roots?"

Scribe dealt with each question, his patience not fading,
But then the bell rang, it was time for the grading!
I looked at my paper. With grief my heart sank.
My test was unfinished. Those lines remained blank.

Handing his well-filled-out test to the Scribe,
Rochester showed brilliance; he delivered with pride.

"In this third contest you seek a treasure chest."

With a magnifying glass and compass in hand
Knoxberry Sleuth, the slyest fox in our land
Winked and chuckled, then gave me a sign,
"Put down your map boy, the treasure's all mine."

Into the forest, Scribe sent us all hurried.
For in its vast midst, the treasure was buried.
My full intention was to search and inspect
But the sights of the forest began to distract.

Delicate flowers paraded colors so rare
And water in streams danced with no care.
Birds with such beauty, and trees did their duty
of shading fair skin on ladies named Judy.

Lost in this painting, I failed to observe
The treasure chest hiding just 'round the curve.
But Knoxberry noticed and quickly took claim
To the treasure chest carved with the Dobbleland name.

"At the great dinner, we'll name our winner."

The King took his post to name who was champ
Of all of the Dobbles who ran, thought, and tramped.
What a surprise as I hear him declare
That I was the greatest of Dobbs everywhere!"

I questioned, "Why? I won not a game.
I've done nothing here that is worthy of fame."

"Oh, but young Dobble, you don't understand
this test was to find a great heart in our land.
It matters not whether you think or run fast.
It matters not whether you find treasure or trash.

What counts is a heart, selfless and true
That puts others interest above those of you.
A heart that's not shy, questioning, 'Why?'
A heart not too hurried to notice the sky.

Congrats oh young Dobble, you have the heart
that all Dobbles should model in whole, not in part."

Janie Gregory serves as Director of Communications for Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis. She and her husband, Andy, (both graduates of Western Kentucky University) reside in Indianapolis with their cat, Peezer. A lover of writing, she most enjoys interviewing and feature writing because it allows her to get nosey into peoples' lives. Her favorite hobby is perusing magazines for house decorating ideas (although she never gets around to actually carrying out any of those ideas.)

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