Here’s the story of two dolphins racing for fun…
Dolo: Hey, buddy. Looks like we’re running nip and tuck.
Meba: Hey Dolo, what do you mean? Are we racing or what?
Dolo: Well, I’m just slightly in the lead now, so, yes, I guess we are.
Meba: It’s not fair. You should have told me.
Dolo: Well, you know, it’s not supposed to be some sort of cutthroat competition. It’s just for fun.
Meba: Good to know. OK, my zippy friend, I’m in.
Dolo: Don’t worry, you can still win if you try a little harder.
Meba: You don’t say! With that lithe body of yours it’s not going to be easy for me to beat you.
Dolo: Yes, I know. That’s why I love racing you!
Here’s the vocabulary summary:
| buddy | a close friend |
| nip and tuck | (of a race or other competition) so close that the lead changes quickly and very often from one person or team to another |
| in the lead | in a position that is ahead of others in a race or competition |
| cutthroat | – used to describe a situation in which people compete with each other in an unpleasant and often cruel and unfair way |
| zippy | very fast |
| be in | be involved or participating in sth |
| You don’t say! | – used to express surprise |
| lithe | moving in an easy and graceful way |
| beat sb at sth | to defeat sb in a game, contest, etc. |
