THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE
Once upon a time there was a tortoise and hare. Tortoise was friendly and quiet and he did everything slowly, and the hare was flashy and rude and he did everything quickly. He was very proud of the fact that he was quick and his ego came in the way of his friendship with the other animals. He liked to make fun of everyone and he especially liked to tease tortoise about being so slow! When tortoise ate breakfast, Hare said, “By the time you finish your last bite it will be dinner time! Ha, Ha, Ha!” When he saw tortoise working in his garden, he laughed, “By the time you pick those flowers it will be winter!”
One afternoon, hare followed tortoise to the store and teased him on the way, “By the time you get there the store will be closed!” “You are so slow I could beat you in a race hoping backwards on one paw.” All the animals encouraged the tortoise to have the race. “I could never beat Hare,” said tortoise. “Yes! You can. We believe in you,” said all of tortoise’s friends. “Then you will race me?” asked the hare. Tortoise folded his head in his shell and said slowly “I don’t want to.” “You have got to. You have put up with the hare’s teasing for long enough. You can win.” Tortoise did not want to disappoint his friends so he finally agreed to the race.
Tortoise had only three weeks to get in shape before the race. Rooster helped him out at the gym everyday and helping to lift weights and get strong. Raccoon cooked him healthy meals so he could be healthy, “Delicious,” said the tortoise to Raccoon’s cooking. Frog went jogging with tortoise every morning to help tortoise get into shape. By the day of the race tortoise was ready, healthy and strong with a well-exercised body.
On the other hand, hare made fun of tortoise working hard at achieving his best. He was so proud of his body and ability that he was blinded by everything else. He could not see the qualities of the tortoise and, unfortunately, did not learn anything by looking at him and his perseverance.
On the day of the race animals from all over the county came to watch the tortoise and the hare. Rooster read out the rules and described the course. “Attention everyone! The race will begin when I ring this gong. The 5-mile race is marked with red flags. The one to reach the finish line first wins the race. Take your mark! Get set!” And boom the gong was heard by all the animals “GO!” The hare bolted out of sight before the tortoise took his first step.

The crowd cheered while the tortoise inched forward. Hare was so far ahead that he decided to stop at Bear’s house for something cool to drink. Hare sat there sipping cool lemonade when Bear saw something moving outside his window. “Hare, there goes tortoise!” “What….!” Hare bolted out of the house and passed tortoise for the second time and decided to stop at Little Mouse’s house for a snack.
As Hare munched crackers and cheese, Mouse exclaimed, “Is that Tortoise I see out of the window!!” “I am not worried about that slow coach. I have passed him twice already!” Hare finished his snack and passed Tortoise for the third time. He saw a pond and decided to take a rest since the snack had made him sleepy. Hare was so sure that he would win that he took a short nap in the soft green grass and slept, dreaming about victory. Suddenly he heard the crowd cheering, “Go Tortoise, go! You can do it. You are almost there!” Tortoise was two steps from the finish line!
Hare got up and dashed for the finish line yelling at Tortoise that he would win the race. But it was too late. Tortoise crossed the Finish Line just as a tornado of dust, which was hare, reached the Finish Line!!!!! Tortoise had won the race. Hare could not believe that the slow coach Tortoise had won the race. Hare couldn’t believe it that he had lost the race with Tortoise. Tortoise smiled as his friends carried him on their shoulders. Both had learnt an important lesson – Hard work and Perseverance bring rewards. Hare learnt that ego and pride are a source of downfall.
Questions
1. What was the hare thinking about himself?
He is very handsome
He is the happy
He is very slow
He is the fastest runner
2. What did he think of the other animals?
it was a pleasure to have lots of friends
he did not think much of anyone who was slower than him
all his friends were wonderful
they were all faster than him
3. What did he do?
he made fun of the tortoise
he played with the other animals
he stayed in his house
he went for a long walk
4. Was that a nice and kind thing to do?
yes
no
maybe
I don’t know
5. What did he tell the tortoise passing by?
you walk so fast!
you are so slow!
would you like to play with me?
you are very handsome
6. Why did he want to have a race with the tortoise?
because he knew he would win!
because he wanted to play with his friend
because he loved to run around
because he was bored
7. Why did the hare take a nap in the middle of the race?
because he got very tired
because he was sure he would win
because he had been up all night
because he did not want to finish the race
8. What was the tortoise thinking while he was running the race?
he should give up
he should take a rest
he was tired
that he should keep going
9. What is the moral of the story?
he should race with every animal
always race with a rabbit
never race with a rabbit
ego and pride are a source of one’s downfall
10. What will the moral apply to in your daily life?
nothing
studies
races with friends
everything

The Finish Line

The Hare And The Tortoise – Aesop’s fables

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