The Tortoise and the Hare: Slow and steady wins the race.
Once upon a time…
There was a speedy hare who loved to brag about how fast he could run. Every day, he’d boast to the other animals, “No one can beat me! I’m the fastest creature in the forest.”
Most animals ignored him, but one day, the tortoise had heard enough. “I may not be as quick as you,” said the tortoise calmly, “but I believe I could win a race against you.”
The hare burst out laughing. “You? Beat me? That’s hilarious!” he chuckled. The other animals, curious, gathered around, ready to see how this would unfold.
“Let’s race tomorrow morning,” the tortoise said, smiling confidently.
The next day, all the animals came to watch. The course was long, winding through trees, over hills, and along the riverbank. The hare stretched his legs, hopping in place, ready to show off. The tortoise, on the other hand, slowly made his way to the starting line with steady determination.
“On your marks, get set… go!” shouted the fox, who was the referee.
The hare zoomed off like a bolt of lightning, leaving the tortoise far behind. He ran so fast that he was soon out of sight. After a while, he glanced over his shoulder and saw that the tortoise was nowhere near. “This is too easy,” the hare said to himself. “I’ve got plenty of time to rest.”
So, the hare found a shady spot under a tree, stretched out, and decided to take a nap. He was so sure of his victory that he drifted off to sleep without a second thought.
Meanwhile, the tortoise kept plodding along, slowly but steadily. One step at a time, he kept going, never stopping, never rushing.
As the sun began to set, the tortoise passed the sleeping hare, who was still snoring loudly under the tree. The finish line was now just a little further ahead.
Suddenly, the hare woke up with a start. “Oh no!” he shouted, realizing how much time had passed. He sprinted as fast as he could toward the finish line, but it was too late. The tortoise had already crossed it.
The forest erupted in cheers as the tortoise stood proudly at the finish line. The hare, panting and out of breath, could only hang his head in defeat.
“Slow and steady wins the race,” the tortoise said with a kind smile. The hare, humbled and embarrassed, nodded in agreement.
The Moral
This story teaches us two key lessons.
- First, being overly confident can lead to failure when you underestimate others.
- Second, persistence and patience often win the day, even when the odds seem against you.
💬 What’s your take?
What lesson do you take away from this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we’d love to hear your perspective!
Note: This story is based on The Tortoise and the Hare, a classic Aesop’s Fable written around the 6th century BCE. We’ve added a modern touch and illustrations to bring it to life and make it more fun for today’s young readers!
