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Ęsop's Fables
"The Tortoise and the Hare"
One day a hare stood
in the company of many types of animals and began to brag of his swiftness,
challenging every animal in his presence to a race. One by one the animals
refused his challenge knowing how swift he was. Finally he came up to the
tortoise and laughed as he spoke the challenge, much to his surprise the tortoise
accepted his challenge.
Early the next morning all the animals gathered
to watch the event take place. The race began much the way everyone
anticipated. The hare shot off quickly gaining much distance on the
tortoise. The Tortoise as expected was slow at the start. Shortly after
the onset of the race the hare was crossing a green field rich with
clover. Confident of his lead he slowed to a halt and began to munch on
the lush greenery. Meanwhile the tortoise plodded along far behind.
After his snack the hare decided to warm
himself in the sun. He stretched himself out in the sun and quickly fell
into a deep slumber. The tortoise meanwhile still plodded along and gained
enough ground to pass the sleeping hare.
Some time later the hare awoke with a start,
and quickly scanned the path behind him. Much to his relief the tortoise
was nowhere to be seen. Eager to end the mockery the hare bolted up the
path towards the finish line. After a minutes the hare heard the
shouts and cheers of the other animals. Knowing they could not be
excited for him he peered far ahead and spotted the tortoise as he crossed the
finish line first.
"Slow and steady wins the race."
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