The Unfair Race

I just got this from the Forum (thanks to Virlution) and it has a lot of meaning. Even the title. This is why things afre never equal.

Ah Meng is a 100 meter sprinter, he only have one opponent, Johari. Everyday, he would race with Johari to see who finish first. The thing that Ah Meng do not understand, is why Johari is allowed to start at the 50 meter mark when Ah Meng have to start running at the 0 meter mark. Well, Ah Meng kept on competing with Johari everyday, and kept loosing everyday.

One day, Ah Meng finally gave up, he realized that it is impossible for him to beat Johari when he has to start with such a big deficit. He tried so much to complain to the judge, but the judge just told him that this is the way it is.

Up to the moment when Ah Meng is about to quit racing, come Master Foo.

Ah Meng: This is so unfair, why do I have to start at 0 meter when Johari can start at 50 meter? It is impossible to win the race! This is insane, I am not going to compete anymore, I give up.

Master Foo: Do you know what is your goal in the race?

Ah Meng: Well, obviously, to finish first!

Master Foo: Who told you that?

Ah Meng: ...

Master Foo: For Johari, his goal is to finish first, but for you, the goal is different. Your goal is to train yourself to be able to run faster. Just because Johari knew that you will always loose, and there is no way that you could finish in front of him, he have stopped improving his maximum speed. But for you, your muscles have became stronger, and
your maximum speed have increased because you kept on trying to run as fast as you can. That you will be able to beat him anytime if both of you start at the same spot.

Upon hearing this, Ah Meng was enlightened.