The Race by David Cory (1960)

Name: The Race
Author: David Cory

In a whimsical setting, a group of animal friends, including a bear, a dog, and a skunk, engage in a friendly game of pinochle. Their peaceful gathering is interrupted by the arrival of a jovial rabbit, who proposes a ride in his vehicle, the Luckymobile. While the bear and dog eagerly join, the skunk declines to run an errand. The rabbit, known for his kindness, suggests a race with a kangaroo who challenges him. The kangaroo, confident in his jumping ability, is given a head start, while a bumblebee serves as the judge and timekeeper. As the race begins, the rabbit hops energetically, but the kangaroo's long jumps quickly close the gap. The excitement builds as the friends cheer for the rabbit, urging him to speed up. Just as the kangaroo gains momentum, the rabbit's hat falls off, causing the kangaroo to trip over it. This mishap allows the rabbit to reach the finish line first, winning the race. Despite the victory, the rabbit is more concerned about his hat than the win. The kangaroo, frustrated by the incident, reluctantly returns the hat. The story concludes with the rabbit and his friends driving away, leaving behind a lighthearted tale of friendship and competition.

By David Cory · First published 1960 · Genre: Adventure, Action, Young Adult · 1,600 words

First lines

The Big Brown Bear, the Yellow Dog Tramp, and Sammy Skunk, Esq., of Sleepy Hollow, were playing pinochle in a little log cabin.

Just then who should come along in the Luckymobile but Mr. Lucky Lefthindfoot, the dear old gentleman bunny rabbit.

What this Textopian page supports

The Race is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1960 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: David Cory
Date: 1960 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Action, Young Adult, Coming of Age, Drama
Length: 1,600 words
Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Race by David Cory
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Race?
How does this short story by David Cory fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The book primarily focuses on thrilling outdoor adventures, with the the protagonist overcoming physical challenges and obstacles.
Action — The plot contains numerous action sequences and fast-moving scenarios.
Young Adult — The book's themes and writing style are accessible and engaging for young readers.
Coming of Age — The book follows the protagonist's journey to maturity and self-discovery.