The Hare and the Tortoise

The Hare and the Tortoise

Original story by Aesop

Retold by Crystal Saint-Preux

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 around 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 laid 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."