The Tortoise and the Hare

One day, a Hare met a Tortoise and began to tease her. He laughed at her short feet and her slow, careful pace. The Tortoise waited until he had finished. Then she gave a small laugh of her own and looked calmly at the Hare.

“You may be quick,” she said, “but I believe I can beat you in a race.” The Hare thought this could never happen. He was so sure of his speed that he agreed at once. So the two decided to race and let the result speak for itself.

They asked the Fox to be the organiser. The Fox chose a course that both racers could follow and fixed the goal at its end. When everything was ready, the Hare and the Tortoise stood at the same starting place.

The race began, and they started together. The Hare shot ahead, while the Tortoise took one slow step, then another. Her feet were short and her pace was gentle, but she kept moving straight along the course. She did not stop, not even for a moment.

The Hare was certain he had plenty of time. By the wayside, he lay down to rest. The quiet pause became a deep sleep. While the Hare slept, the Tortoise continued at the same steady pace: step after step, onward towards the goal.

At last, the Hare opened his eyes. He sprang up and ran as fast as he could. Along the course he rushed, expecting to reach the goal first. But the Tortoise had already arrived. After her long, steady effort, she was resting comfortably and dozing at the goal.

The Hare stopped. The slow racer had finished before the swift one. The Tortoise had not needed to hurry; she had simply continued, patiently and without stopping, until the whole course was behind her. Her small, steady steps had carried her all the way.

And that is why the old fable reminds us: slow but steady wins the race. Being quick can help, but patient, steady effort and finishing what we start can carry us all the way to our goal.