A hare was very proud of his speed and often made fun of the tortoise’s slow pace.
One day the tortoise said, “Let’s have a race.” The hare burst out laughing but agreed. All the animals of the forest gathered to watch.
The race began. The hare shot far ahead. Thinking the tortoise was far behind, he decided to rest a little and lay down under a tree. Soon he fell fast asleep.
The tortoise kept walking slowly without stopping. When the hare woke up, he saw the tortoise almost at the finish line. He ran with all his might, but by then the tortoise had crossed the line.
All the animals clapped for the tortoise’s win, while the hare stood there ashamed, with his head bowed.