The Hare & The Tortoise - An Aesop's Fable
- Sujata Ayer
- Apr 4, 2024
- 2 min read
An Aesop's Fable
Once upon a time, there lived a hare and a tortoise on a meadow at the edge of the forest. The hare knew he was fast and always made fun of the tortoise for being so slow.
The tortoise was slow, but he was wise. Tired of the hare’s constant boasts, the tortoise challenged him to a race!
On the day of the big race, all the animals turned up to witness the race, pretty certain that the hare will win easily.
As soon as the race started, the hare leapt ahead as the tortoise began it's slow walk down the path towards the finish line.
As they approached the forest, the hare was way ahead of the tortoise and out of sight. But, the tortoise kept on moving ahead, one step at a time, with determination.
The hare knew he was way ahead of the tortoise. So he paused to catch his breath. He looked behind him, but the tortoise was no where to be seen.
He thought he could take a little power nap and still be ahead of the tortoise when he wakes up. He settled down under a tree for a quick nap and soon fell fast asleep. And while the hare was sleeping, the tortoise kept on walking, slow and steady, one step at a time, without a break, fully determined to finish the race.
When the hare woke up, he thought that the tortoise was still way behind. A little monkey swung down from the tree and said, "Hey there! Are you looking for someone? I saw a tortoise pass by here a while ago!"
The hare was stunned!
He dashed ahead in an attempt to cover ground. He bolted ahead in full speed, hoping to still win the race.
But the slow and steady tortoise was almost at the finish line.
The hare could only watch from behind as the tortoise crossed the finish line ahead of him. All the animals turned up to cheer for the tortoise!
The hare had learnt his lesson. He congratulated the tortoise on the victory. The hare realized that everyone has their own unique strengths and being fast does not always mean that you will win...
The HARE & the TORTOISE became great friends thereafter!