Gather around before the barn! For there was a certain energy manifesting in the barn. What could have brought all the farm animals to gather around on this cool crisp evening? Why standing in the Barn were Walter and Tobias.

Reminiscing on there glory days 20 years ago, sharing a laugh Walter asked Tobias, "remember how we would lap the other Horses? it was like we were the only ones racing."

"how could i forget?" Tobias replied, "you were always my first"

"you were always my second."

A moment passed of pure silence. nothing but the rustic sounds of the barn swaying in the breeze and the nails shifting in there place. The soft clucking of the hens could be heard throughout the barn with the occasional scurry of the barn mouse. Walter to break the silence first, "so how 'bout it Tobias? another race?"

Tobias, he didn't answer immediately. he sat there for a moment carving trenches in the slop within his trough. The thought hadn't crossed his mind in 20 years. Not since there last big victory.

"So?" Walter breaking the silence once more, "How about it Tobias? one m-"

"Brother... i don't think i could do another race." Tobias interrupted, "all of my life i've lived in your shadow. Second place; the thunder after the lightning. I'm afraid it would kill me to get second place again, Brother."

Walter replied in a softer tone than usual and said, "Tobias... your my brother, i love you! after all of these years, when you lifted me up, into first place, don't you think its about time for you to feel the glory of first place?" Walter said, "Brother... I'd love to give you this last race."

An old ember of excitement began to grow in Tobias' heart. The flame that had went dim 20 years prior, excitedly, Tobias responded, "Lets gather the Farm animals. We'll tell them all just like when we were foals trotting in the fields, preparing for our first win."

Not a single shrew wanted to miss this event. The hens came running out of the coup. The frogs were crawling out of the wood work. every goat, sheep, cow, rooster, and cat came out to witness this final, glorious race. The farmer was Organizing the event for the evening and when everyone had gathered exclaimed, "all right we want a nice clean race! from the red barn, you guys will run down the hill, around the lake, and back here. One lap! and Remember to have fun!" With his gun raised in the air. a moment of silence passed once more. Walter and Tobias next to each other, ready to kick this last race off. 'Just like when we were kids' They both thought to themselves.

A loud crack filled the air and before the smoke could exit the barrel the horses had already left the starting line. The violent rumbling from the majestic beasts was present throughout the entire race. from the start Walter, followed by Tobias less than a half-horse length from each other. Racing down the Hill, and in seconds they were already at the Lake. Wrapping around the lake you could've mistaken these for two stallions in there prime. Walter and Tobias making there way across the lake with the sun resting behind them silhouetting the magnificent beasts across the lake. It was truly a sight to see.

They rounded the corner and there it was. The red barn. so close to each other, breathing on each other, they were neck-in-neck in this final race. And for the first time, Walter started to Let up. Tobais was starting to gain. And for the first time in his life, Tobias was in first place. This was it. This was the glory of first place. Closer and closer the Red barn was becoming more and more visible. And just when Tobias could just about see the finish line, Walter kicked it into overdrive, and blasted straight past Tobias crossing the finish line leaving him in a cloud of dust.

Tobias stumbled over the finish line. exhausted, coughing, and weeping. 'How could he do this?' he thought to himself in his last moment, 'he was my brother.' A cloud of smoke erupted from the ground covering Tobias' body. A moment of pure shock fell over the entire farm. No one could say anything. Not even Walter. And as the smoke cleared, there he was, Tobias, on the ground, dead.

Agitated, confused, shocked the Farmers dog raced over to Walter and pried into Walter, "how could you do this?" he questioned; pushing into Walter, "he was your brother Walter how could you..?" it went on for a few minutes as he reminded Walter over and over about "the glory of first place" and how Tobias trusted Walter as a brother. Walter raised his head, steadied his breath, and looked the farmers dog straight in his eyes and said,

"Holy mother of God. Is that a talking dog?"