A sailboat drifted leisurely down the river. On the shore, a horse observed and, with a haughty neigh, remarked, "Buddy, you always move so slowly. You should pick up the pace!" The sailboat, cutting through the water at its own steady speed, replied, "Do you think you're faster than me? How about a race?"
"Ha! You want to race me? Fine, let's start now!" With that, the horse galloped off.
The horse ran for about an hour, confident it had left the sailboat far behind. It then stopped on a grassy patch by the riverbank to rest and nibble on some grass. However, before it could catch its breath, the sailboat caught up, gliding smoothly as if on a leisurely journey.
Seeing the sailboat approaching, the horse took off again, only to stop once more on the riverbank to graze. This pattern repeated: the horse would run ahead, then pause to rest, while the sailboat continued its steady pace, always catching up.
Exhausted, the horse finally collapsed, watching as the sailboat sailed past. Confused, it called out, "Buddy, tell me the truth—who's faster, you or me?"
The sailboat answered honestly, "Over short distances, you can outrun me."
"But why did I lose to you in the end?" the horse asked.
"Simple," the sailboat replied. "I rely on the wind and the current, while you depend solely on your own strength."