A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll race you to prove it." The Hare was much amused at the idea of racing with the Tortoise, but he agreed for the fun of it.
So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to teach the Tortoise a lesson on how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise caught up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal.
The Hare now ran as fast as he could, but it was impossible to overtake the Tortoise in time.
"You know Hare! It's not enough to be able to run fast! Persistence and effort often outdo natural ability!!”
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Thanks to the following sources for the illustrations: