The Tortoise and The Hare

Once upon a time, there lived a hare who loved to brag. “I’m the fastest animal in the whole forest!” he told everyone. “No one can beat me in a race!” He ran fast through trees, leaped over bushes, and raced past other animals, just to show off.

But the one he made fun of the most was the tortoise. “Look at you, crawling so slowly!” the hare laughed. “You wouldn’t win a race even if you started yesterday!”

The tortoise, who was quiet and patient, finally spoke up. “Let’s race, Hare. Let’s see if speed alone makes a winner.”

The animals gasped. A race between the fastest and the slowest? It seemed impossible! The hare burst into laughter. “You? Race me? This will be over before you take your first step!”

Still chuckling, the hare agreed. The fox set the racecourse, marking a path to the big oak tree. All the animals gathered, eager to watch.

“Ready, set, go!” called the fox.

The hare shot forward, kicking up dust. In a blink, he was far ahead. The tortoise, as always, moved slowly, one steady step at a time.

After a while, the hare looked back. The tortoise was nowhere close. “This is too easy,” he smirked. “I could take a nap and still win!”

He spotted a shady tree, stretched out, and closed his eyes.

Meanwhile, the tortoise kept going. He didn’t stop. He didn’t rush. Step by step, he made his way forward. Soon, he reached the tree where the hare was snoring. The tortoise glanced at him, then kept moving. The other animals watched in amazement as he passed right by.

Much later, the hare finally woke up. He yawned, stretched, and looked ahead. Then he gasped.

The tortoise was almost at the finish line!

“Wait, what?” the hare shouted. He leaped up and ran as fast as he could, his feet pounding the ground. But it was too late.

The tortoise took one final step and crossed the finish line.

The forest filled with cheers. Birds chirped, squirrels clapped, and the fox called out, “The tortoise wins!”

The hare hung his head in disbelief. He had been so sure of victory, but now he saw the truth.

Humbled by his loss, the hare stopped bragging and never made fun of the tortoise again.