The Tortoise and the Hare
The hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals.
'I have never yet been beaten,' said he, 'when I put forth my full
speed. I challenge anyone 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 until 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
nearing the finish line, and he could not catch up in time to save the
race.
Plodding wins the race.
