6 The Tortoise and the Hare

One day,the hare told some other animals that he could runfast.He said,“I have never lost a race.I will race anyone.”

Then the hare looked at the tortoise and laughed. He said that the tortoise had short legs and was very slow.

The tortoise said, “I will race you.”

The hare was surprised and laughed more. “l can dance around you.”

“Yes, ”said the tortoise.“You are as swift as the wind, but I will win.”

The hare thought this was impossible and said OK. They agreed on a day and a place, and all the other animals talked about the race.

On the day of the race, all the animals came to watch. The race began.The tortoise started walking slowly but surely.The hare quickly ran out of sight.

Another animal might stop and give up, but not the tortoise. The tortoise continued walking.

Then the hare stopped. He was confident that he would beat the tortoise, so he lay down and took a nap.

The tortoise continued walking and walking.

When the hare woke up, he saw that the tortoise had won the race and was resting under a tree.

The tortoise said to the hare, “Slowly but surely wins the race.”