The Tortoise and the Hare

Once upon a time, in a meadow filled with wildflowers, there lived a hare who was very proud of how fast he could run.

"I'm the fastest animal in the whole meadow!" he would boast. "No one can beat me!"

All the animals were tired of listening to him brag. One day, the tortoise spoke up.

"I'll race you," said the tortoise in his slow, calm voice.

The hare laughed so hard he fell over. "You? Race me? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard! You're the slowest animal in the meadow!"

"Perhaps," said the tortoise. "But I'd still like to try."

All the animals gathered to watch. The fox drew a starting line and marked a big tree far away as the finish line.

"Ready, set, GO!" shouted the fox.

The hare zoomed off like a flash of lightning. The tortoise began walking slowly, one step at a time.

The hare ran so fast that he was soon far, far ahead. He looked back and couldn't even see the tortoise.

"This is too easy!" laughed the hare. "That silly tortoise will take forever. I have time for a little nap."

The hare lay down under a shady tree and closed his eyes. Soon he was fast asleep, dreaming of his victory.

Meanwhile, the tortoise kept walking. Step by step, he plodded along. He didn't stop to rest. He didn't get distracted. He just kept going.

One step at a time. One step at a time.

The tortoise walked past the sleeping hare. He didn't stop. He just kept walking toward the finish line.

The sun began to set. The hare woke up with a start. "Oh no! I fell asleep! But surely the tortoise hasn't caught up yet."

He looked down the path and couldn't believe his eyes. The tortoise was almost at the finish line!

The hare ran as fast as his legs would carry him. But it was too late.

The tortoise crossed the finish line first!

All the animals cheered. The tortoise smiled quietly. The hare hung his head in shame.

"How did you beat me?" asked the hare.

"Slow and steady wins the race," said the tortoise wisely. "It doesn't matter how fast you can go if you don't keep going."

And from that day on, the hare never boasted again.

The End