Aesop
|
Greece

The Tortoise and the Hare

The slow and steady tortoise wins a race against the boastful and overconfident hare.
Perseverance
Boasting
Humility
The Tortoise and the Hare
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time in a dense forest, there lived a swift hare and a slow tortoise. The hare was incredibly proud of his speed and often bragged about it to the other animals. He couldn't help but mock the tortoise, who moved at a leisurely pace.

One day, tired of the hare's constant boasting, the tortoise decided to challenge the hare to a race. The hare, amused by the idea, readily agreed. A course was set, and the entire forest gathered to witness the competition.

As the race began, the hare sprinted ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind. Seeing the tortoise slowly plodding along, the hare became even more confident in his victory. He thought to himself, "I have plenty of time to rest before the tortoise catches up," and he decided to take a nap under a nearby tree.

Meanwhile, the tortoise continued to move forward, steady and determined. He didn't let the hare's speed or his own slow pace discourage him. He remained focused on reaching the finish line.

While the hare slept, the tortoise gradually closed the distance between them. He kept moving forward, inching closer and closer to the finish line. When the hare finally awoke, he was surprised to find that the tortoise was nowhere in sight. Panicking, he raced as fast as he could toward the finish line.

Despite his best efforts, the hare arrived too late. The tortoise, with his unwavering determination, had already crossed the finish line, winning the race. The forest animals cheered for the tortoise, who had shown them that steady progress could lead to success.

The hare had learned a valuable lesson from the race, and from that day on, he never again underestimated others or took his own abilities for granted. The tortoise, too, demonstrated that even the slowest of creatures could triumph with persistence and determination.

Once upon a time, in a thick forest, there lived a fast hare and a slow tortoise. The hare was proud of how fast he could run and often told the other animals about it. He liked to tease the tortoise for being slow.

One day, the tortoise got tired of the hare's bragging. So, the tortoise challenged the hare to a race. The hare thought this was funny and agreed. They chose a path for the race, and all the animals in the forest came to watch.

When the race started, the hare quickly ran ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind. Seeing how slowly the tortoise was moving, the hare felt sure he would win. He thought, "I have so much time, I can take a short nap," and he slept under a tree.

But the tortoise kept going, slow and steady. He did not worry about how fast the hare was. He just focused on reaching the end.

While the hare was sleeping, the tortoise slowly got closer to the finish line. By the time the hare woke up and saw that the tortoise was almost there, it was too late. He ran as fast as he could, but the tortoise had already finished the race and won.

The animals in the forest cheered for the tortoise. He had shown them that being steady and not giving up can lead to success.

After that, the hare stopped thinking he was better than everyone else and did not make fun of others anymore.

In a big forest, there is a hare and a tortoise. The hare is fast. The tortoise is slow. The hare likes to make fun of the slow tortoise.

One day, the tortoise says, "Let's race." The hare laughs and says, "Yes." All the animals come to see the race.

The race starts. The hare runs fast. He leaves the tortoise far behind. The hare looks back and sees the slow tortoise. He thinks, "I can rest and still win." So, he lies under a tree and sleeps.

The tortoise keeps walking. He does not stop. He does not look back. He just walks to the end.

While the hare sleeps, the tortoise passes him. The tortoise gets close to the finish line. The hare wakes up and sees the tortoise. He runs fast to the finish line.

But it is too late. The tortoise wins the race. All the animals are happy.

Once upon a time, in a thick forest, there lived a fast hare and a slow tortoise. The hare was proud of how fast he could run and often told the other animals about it. He liked to tease the tortoise for being slow.

One day, the tortoise got tired of the hare's bragging. So, the tortoise challenged the hare to a race. The hare thought this was funny and agreed. They chose a path for the race, and all the animals in the forest came to watch.

When the race started, the hare quickly ran ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind. Seeing how slowly the tortoise was moving, the hare felt sure he would win. He thought, "I have so much time, I can take a short nap," and he slept under a tree.

But the tortoise kept going, slow and steady. He did not worry about how fast the hare was. He just focused on reaching the end.

While the hare was sleeping, the tortoise slowly got closer to the finish line. By the time the hare woke up and saw that the tortoise was almost there, it was too late. He ran as fast as he could, but the tortoise had already finished the race and won.

The animals in the forest cheered for the tortoise. He had shown them that being steady and not giving up can lead to success.

After that, the hare stopped thinking he was better than everyone else and did not make fun of others anymore.

In the heart of a bustling forest, a place where animals could let their fur down, lived a hare that was the rock star of speed. Faster than a WiFi connection in a coffee shop and knowing it, the hare would often quip, "Why walk when you can sprint?" As for the tortoise? More of a vintage vinyl record, enjoying every groove and bump.

During a wild forest rave, complete with glow worms and beatboxing birds, the hare, with a carrot mocktail in hand, boasted, "Ever see me race? It's like watching lightning... if lightning stopped to flirt and snap a selfie." Flashing an infamous grin, eyes landed on the tortoise, who was grooving to the music at a pace that might be generously described as "glacial."

"Oi, Tortoise! Bet I could race around the world before you reach the DJ booth!" the hare teased.

The tortoise took a sip of herbal tea. "You're on, Speedy. Race to that hill over yonder? And let's make it interesting. Winner gets bragging rights and a lifetime supply of their favorite snack."

The news spread like wildfire, and soon, every creature was lining up for the race of the century. Snakes were taking bets, and squirrels were selling popcorn.

As the race began, the hare became a furry blur. A few yards in, shouting back, "Oi, Tortoise! You might want to upgrade to the next millennium. Maybe... Tortoise 2.0?"

Confident of an impending victory, the hare decided to lounge under a shady tree, laying out a picnic spread. "Just a wee nap," the hare thought. "What could possibly go wrong?"

The tortoise, in typical style, continued on, cracking jokes to itself. "I’m like an action movie in slow motion. Drama, suspense, and a lot of... contemplation."

As hours passed, the hare woke up, stretching and yawning, "Time to wrap up this race." But the heart sank as the cheering crowd at the hill was noticed. The tortoise, with a smile and shades on, was taking selfies with fans.

The hare darted, but it was too late. The tortoise had clinched it. "Well," the tortoise mused, "It's not about the speed; it’s the panache."

The crowd went wild, and as for the hare, tail between legs, a new respect for the tortoise was found. From that day on, the hare didn't just rely on speed but admired persistence, patience, and a good sense of humor.

And the tortoise? A world tour, talking about the art of slow living and, of course, an epic win against the fastest hare in the forest. The lessons of patience, persistence, and a dash of humor were etched into the memories of the animals, and the forest lived happily, fabulously ever after.

In the heart of woods where whispers play,
Lived a hare and tortoise, night and day.
Mr. Hare, with lightning feet so fleet,
Boasted of victories, none could beat.

“Look at Mr. Tortoise, so slow and slight,
I bet he's never won a single fight!”
Tortoise sighed, with a challenge in his eyes,
“How 'bout a race, Mr. Hare, to prove your prize?”

Hare laughed, a chuckle deep and loud,
Accepting the bet from the patient crowd.
Off they went, as the forest stood by,
Hare zipped ahead, touching the sky.

He gazed back, seeing Tortoise's slow stride,
Thought, “A nap would be nice, by the tree’s side.”
As Hare dreamt, Tortoise kept his resolve,
Step by step, his journey did evolve.

Hare awoke with a jolt and a shock,
Tortoise was gone, past the big rock!
Swiftly he dashed, with all might and main,
But Tortoise had won, his efforts not in vain.

Forest erupted, their cheers loud and long,
For Tortoise's spirit, so steady and strong.
And so in the woods, when the day turns to night,
They speak of the race, and Tortoise's quiet might.

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Word Finder

  1. Tease

    To make fun of someone playfully.

  2. Bragging

    Talking proudly about one's achievements.

  3. Challenged

    Invited someone to a contest or competition.

  4. Path

    A track or way made for walking.

  5. Nap

    A short sleep, especially during the day.

  6. Steady

    Constant, even, and regular movement or progress.

  7. Focused

    Gave all attention to one thing.

  8. Finish line

    The end point of a race.

  9. Cheered

    Shouted loudly to show support or praise.

  10. Success

    The achievement of a goal or purpose.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the tortoise challenge the hare to a race?
  2. What did the hare do when he was far ahead in the race?
  3. How did the tortoise approach the race, despite his slow speed?
  4. What was the hare’s reaction when he woke up and saw the tortoise near the finish line?
  5. How did the hare’s behavior change after the race?

Word Finder

  1. Forest

    A big place with many trees.

  2. Tortoise

    An animal with a hard shell.

  3. Race

    A game to see who is fastest.

  4. Laughs

    Makes a happy sound.

  5. Animals

    Living things like dogs, cats, and birds.

  6. Starts

    Begins to happen.

  7. Behind

    At the back of something.

  8. Rest

    To stop and relax for a time.

  9. Passes

    Goes by something or someone.

  10. Finish

    The end of something, like a race.

  1. Tease

    To make fun of someone playfully.

  2. Bragging

    Talking proudly about one's achievements.

  3. Challenged

    Invited someone to a contest or competition.

  4. Path

    A track or way made for walking.

  5. Nap

    A short sleep, especially during the day.

  6. Steady

    Constant, even, and regular movement or progress.

  7. Focused

    Gave all attention to one thing.

  8. Finish line

    The end point of a race.

  9. Cheered

    Shouted loudly to show support or praise.

  10. Success

    The achievement of a goal or purpose.

Understanding Questions

  1. Who is fast?

    1. The tortoise
    2. The hare
    3. The tree
    4. The animals
  2. What does the tortoise say to the hare?

    1. "Let's run."
    2. "Let's race."
    3. "Let's sleep."
    4. "Let's walk."
  3. Where does the hare sleep?

    1. Under a tree
    2. On a rock
    3. In the forest
    4. At the finish line
  4. What does the tortoise do while the hare sleeps?

    1. He stops.
    2. He eats.
    3. He walks.
    4. He looks back.
  5. Who wins the race?

    1. The hare
    2. The tortoise
    3. The animals
    4. The tree
  1. Why did the tortoise challenge the hare to a race?
  2. What did the hare do when he was far ahead in the race?
  3. How did the tortoise approach the race, despite his slow speed?
  4. What was the hare’s reaction when he woke up and saw the tortoise near the finish line?
  5. How did the hare’s behavior change after the race?
  1. How did the hare's attitude about his speed affect what he did during the race?
  2. In what way did the tortoise's approach to the race differ from the hare's?
  3. How did the tortoise's steady pace impact the race's outcome?
  4. What event caused the hare to realize he might lose the race?
  5. How did the hare's perception of the tortoise change from the beginning to the end of the story?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the hare lost the race even though he was faster?
  2. How did the tortoise's attitude help him win the race?
  3. Can you think of a time when slow and steady effort helped you succeed?
  4. Why is it important to not underestimate others like the hare did to the tortoise?
  5. What does this story teach us about arrogance and humility?

Fable Quotes

Slow and steady wins the race.
Being too sure can lead to defeat.
Remember to be humble, no matter how fast you are.
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