The Hare and the Tortoise
Author: Mila Wyman
Original Author: Aesop
Adapted by: Janet Stevens
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."