A deer named Barq was the fastest animal in the valley, always proud of his slender legs and long leaps. Every morning on his way, he passed a calm hedgehog named Hakeem and teased him, «How do you live being so slow?».

One day, Barq raced off toward a distant spring, and fell into a deep pit that hunters had dug and covered with branches. He tried leaping out with all his speed, but the walls were too steep, and his speed was no help at all.

Hakeem heard his cries for help and approached with his usual calm, studying the pit with patient eyes. He did not rush; instead, he gathered dry branches and arranged them cleverly like a sloped ladder inside the pit, until Barq could climb out step by step, safe and sound.

Barq stood before Hakeem silent for the first time, then said quietly, «My speed got me into danger, and your calm wisdom got me out of it». From that day, Barq came to value quiet thinking as much as speed, and the two became inseparable friends.