The Hare and the Tortoise

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 beaten," 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."