The Hare and the Tortoise

The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. ‘I have never yet been beaten,' said he, ‘when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me.'

The Tortoise said quietly, ‘I accept your challenge.'

‘That is a good joke,' said the Hare; ‘I could dance round you all the way.'

‘Keep your boasting till you've won,' answered the Tortoise. ‘Shall we race?'

So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race. Then said the Tortoise:

‘Plodding wins the race.'