The Olympics

By Caroline B.

Cornelius had been the average kid. Born in 786 B.C.E. in Athens; lived in a middle-class family; had occasional trips to the gymnasium; went to school; and did many other simply normal things. Although Cornelius was happy with his life he longed for adventure and meaning.

He had only been to the Olympics twice because it was expensive. At twenty-two, Cornelius walked into the grand stadium in Olympia to watch people compete for the third time. In previous times he had seen people win events in the Olympics and gain ultimate glory and pride. Cornelius wanted that. But he knew he couldn’t win the Olympics because he just wasn’t as fit as the other men. Cornelius promised himself, even though the chances were slim, that he would enter the Olympics the next chance he got.

Cornelius wanted to compete in a horse race, since it would be easiest for him. He bought a horse with the money he had earned from working in his father’s shop. Cornelius began practicing every morning and night. At the end of the first year, he was okay and he started thinking he had a chance. He practiced even more the second year and competed in a smaller race. He came in last. Cornelius couldn’t believe it; he had thought he was good but he wasn’t at all. He continued practicing every day and at the end of the third year he competed in another race. He came in next to last. Now this was too much for him to handle. How could he keep doing so badly? He was practicing. Declaring that he wouldn’t compete in the Olympics, Cornelius stopped trying. Then he realized, not everyone that wins is the best--they cheat. Yes, Cornelius thought. Cheating was definitely his miracle.

Cornelius began his plot. It was perfect. He would bring big bowls of sleep medicine to all the horses so he could win. Even though he had studied with great teachers and had learned to play fair and not to cheat, he needed this. The day of the Olympics came and he was really scared because people had been caught cheating before and had been disqualified. Cornelius brought a bowl to Anker, the horse of the great Achilles. Who had won in the past two Olympic Games. Then he brought a bowl to Araminta, the horse of Basil, and so on. Suddenly he realized with his fifth bowl that he was acting wrong. So he hurried back to collect all the bowls, but some of the horses had already eaten some of the sleep medicine. Hopefully, thought Cornelius, the gods will only care that I corrected my mistakes.

The race Cornelius was taking part in was about to take place. He was scared the gods would make him lose because he had cheated. The announcer, Cleon, was about to throw his flag in the air to start the race. One, Two, Three, Go!!!!!!!!! They were off. Cornelius was towards the front when all of a sudden five of the horses started dropping in their tracks. Ooh no, Cornelius thought, they drank too much. Now Cornelius was in the front feeling guilty but having the time of his life. He was coming around the turn toward the finish line. Cornelius zoomed passed the finish line. He had won!

At the victory ceremony, he decided to admit that he had cheated. Everyone celebrating with him turned their backs on him. He knew he had committed a terrible crime and that the gods had given him the guilt to make him announce his mistake. Cornelius now realized that even if you don’t win the Olympics you can still feel the glory of winning in other ways, and being a sore loser only makes victory seem sweeter.