Bandido the Bow-Legged Boy

This story is about a bow-legged boy named Bandido who lives in a village called Runnersville in which the peculiar characteristic of the inhabitants is the are all doublejointed.As a doublejointed race of people they are natural acrobats and contortionists, very muscular and agile and are superb athletes. Bandido is ridiculed and is often mocked and teased because of his bow-legs and is regarded as an oddity and a deformed child.In fact as an infant his parents had abandoned him because they were ashamed of his bowlegs but he was rescued by the Old Cave Chief.

The Old Cave Chief is also bow-legged. He does not live in the village with the other Doublejoints but is always in the background watching over and protecting Bandido and the Doublejoint people.He had once been the ruler of the Doublejoints but relinquished his position to live in solitude in a cave with only the bats for company.

To become the ruler of the Doublejoints at a certain time the nineyearolds had to participate in a grueling athletic event called the Great Race and the winner of that race is designated to become the future ruler of the Doublejoints.The Old Cave Chief had won the race when he had participated as a child beating into second place his rival, the handsome and powerful Caspero.The Old Cave Chief was the first one to show that he did not allow his bow-legs to limit him and had proven to the entire village that he was the best athlete of all the participants.However he was not hungry for power and as he knew that Caspero would make a good ruler of the Doublejoints he decided to pass on his authority to Caspero .This arrangement allowed the Old Cave Chief could enjoy the life that he had always craved peace and quiet in solitude and in communion with nature.



It is once again time for the Great Race to be held in Runnersville and this time Bandido, the bow-leg is competing against Persero , son of Caspero.Persero is an excellent athlete and is expected to win.Also in the race is a girl named Ana, who is the first girl ever allowed to compete in the Great Race.She is a strong contender in the competition along with other competitors in the race.At first Caspero objects to Bandido and Ana participating in the race but changes his mind after a troubling dream.On the day of the Great Race the nineyearolds under the leadership of their teacher Erudel compete in running climbing and canoeing displaying their strength endurance and agility. Prior to the events on the day of the Great Race the competitors had competed in diving and in acrobatic events in the trees surrounding the village. Bandido is the clear winner and surprisingly Ana comes in second putting Persero into third place.

Bandido is recognized for his great feat, and is hailed a hero by everyone.His victory in the Great Race is vindication that his bow-legs are not a handicap and in spite of his legs he emerges triumphant .Bandido proves to his countrymen that we should not be limited by any shortcomings that we may have but to reach for the stars and always strive to be the best that we can be.

The Old Cave Chief is pleased that Bandido has proved himself a worthy athlete and that the Doublejoint people are happy.He continues to watch over them from afar.