01 · The Tortoise and the Hare
A hare and a tortoise were arguing about who was faster.
A hare and a tortoise were arguing about who was faster.
So they decided to run a race.
So they decided to run a race.
They agreed on a day and a place for the race.
They agreed on a day and a place for the race.
The hare was sure that he was very fast.
The hare was sure that he was very fast.
So he did not take the race seriously. He lay down by the road and fell asleep.
So he did not take the race seriously. He lay down by the road and fell asleep.
The tortoise knew that she was slow.
The tortoise knew that she was slow.
But she did not stop for a moment.
But she did not stop for a moment.
She walked past the sleeping hare and reached the finish first.
She walked past the sleeping hare and reached the finish first.
The lesson: steady effort often beats a natural gift that is neglected.
The lesson: steady effort often beats a natural gift that is neglected.
Aesopic fable, Perry 226 · Greek prose: Halm 420, 420b (Χελώνη καὶ λαγωός) · Original Saylumo retelling; traditionally attributed to Aesop. Not a quotation or translation of any ancient text. · Source & license