The Hare and the Tortoise

Short Version

Once there lived a hare and a tortoise in a forest. The hare could run very fast. He was proud of his speed. He often laughed at the tortoise because the tortoise walked very slowly.

One day, the tortoise said, “Let us have a race.” The hare agreed. A peacock was the judge. Soon, the race started.

The hare ran very fast and went far ahead. He looked back and could not see the tortoise. So, he stopped under a tree to take some rest. Soon, he fell asleep.

The tortoise walked slowly, but he did not stop. He passed the sleeping hare and went on.

After some time, the hare woke up and ran fast. But it was too late. The tortoise had already reached the finishing line and won the race.

Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

Expanded Version

Once there lived a hare and a tortoise in a forest. The hare could run very fast, and he was very proud of his speed. Whenever he saw the tortoise walking slowly, he laughed at him and made fun of him.

One day, the tortoise became tired of the hare’s proud words. He said, “You are fast, but let us have a race and see who reaches the finishing line first.” The hare laughed loudly, but he agreed. A peacock was chosen as the judge.

The race began. The hare ran very fast and soon went far ahead. When he looked back, he could not even see the tortoise. He thought, “The tortoise is very slow. I have plenty of time.”

So, the hare stopped under a tree to rest. The weather was pleasant, and soon he fell asleep.

The tortoise continued walking. He was slow, but he did not stop. Step by step, he passed the sleeping hare and moved towards the finishing line.

After some time, the hare woke up. He saw that it was late and ran as fast as he could. But when he reached the finishing line, the tortoise was already there.

The tortoise had won the race because he moved slowly and steadily without stopping.