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 any one here to race with
me.’
The Tortoise said quietly, ‘I accept your challenge.’
‘That is a good joke,’ said the Hare; ‘I could dance round
you all the way.’
‘Keep your boasting till 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 just near
the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the
race. Then said the Tortoise:
‘Plodding wins the race.’
