The Hare and the Tortoise

In an animal get together, the proudly Hare was boasting of his speed before the other animals. I can beat anyone
in a race, said he. I have beaten several animals in races. To his misfortune, he said, I challenge anyone here to
race against me.
All animals were quite and some were convinced by the word of the Hare. Crow said, He is right, I have witnessed
his victory many times. No one had the courage to accept his challenge.
The Hare was very happy and filled with joyful pride. The Tortoise was sitting on a corner and was watching the
proudy Hare challenging the whole jungle while everyone was feeling insulted.
The Tortoise said quietly, I accept your challenge. All the animals looked into the corner where the Tortoise was
sitting, everyone was surprised and some laughed as if a joke had been cracked among them.
That is a good joke, said the Hare; I could dance around you all the way. Keep your boasting till youve been
beatened, answered the Tortoise. Shall we race?
The Fox was chosen as the Judge for the race by the animals sitting in the meeting. The Fox fixed a date and time of
the race and all the animals were invited to attend this historic race which seemed one sided. Everyone was sure of
the Hares victory but were praying of success for the Tortoise.
On the night before the racing day, the Hare was seen busy inviting several animals to watch the historic race. He
was so busy in boasting himself that he could not even sleep.
On the racing day, every animal reached the spot well in time. So a course was fixed and a start was made. The
Hare started dancing around the Tortoise. He insulted the Tortoise a lot. He ran a little, the Tortoise reached him
while he ran a little more.
After making a lot of fun of the Tortoise; he ran almost out of sight at once. All the animals were thinking why had
the Tortoise chosen himself a laughing matter. They saw the Hare 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. The Hare was shocked. He tried to run but he could not run up in time to save the race. There was a
lot of noise and all the animals were happy for the proudly Hare losing the historic race.