Hare and Tortoise
The Hare was once boasting of his speed before all the other animals.
“I have never yet been beaten,“
said he,
“when I pull 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, lay 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, slowly but surely, wins the race.
