Aesop’s Fables: The Tortoise and The Hare

The Hare one day laughed at the Tortoise for his short feet, slowness, and awkwardness. “Though you may be swift as the wind,” replied the Tortoise good-naturedly,

“I can beat you in a race.” The Hare looked on the challenge as a great joke, but consented to a trial of speed, and the Fox was selected to act as umpire, and hold the stakes. The rivals started, and the Hare, of course, soon left the Tortoise far behind. Having reached midway

to the goal, he began to play about, nibble the young herbage, and amuse herself in many ways. The day being warm, she even thought she would take a little nap in a shady spot, for she thought that if the Tortoise should pass her while she slept, she could easily overtake him again before he reached the end. The Tortoise meanwhile plodded on, unwavering and unresting, straight towards

the goal. The Hare, having overslept herself, started up from her nap, and was surprised to find that the Tortoise was nowhere in sight. Off she went at full speed, but on reaching the winning-post, found that the Tortoise was already there, waiting for her arrival.

Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

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