Section 10

The Hare and the Tortoise explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

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A Hare was one day making fun of a Tortoise for being so slow upon his feet. "Wait a bit," said the Tortoise; "I'll run a race with you, and I'll wager that I win." "Oh, well," replied the Hare, who was much amused at the idea, "let's try and see"; and it was soon agreed that the...
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Public-domain original

A Hare was one day making fun of a Tortoise for being so slow upon his feet. "Wait a bit," said the Tortoise; "I'll run a race with you, and I'll wager that I win." "Oh, well," replied the Hare, who was much amused at the idea, "let's try and see"; and it was soon agreed that the fox should set a course for them, and be the judge. When the time came both started off together, but the Hare was soon so far ahead that he thought he might as well have a rest: so down he lay and fell fast asleep. Meanwhile the Tortoise kept plodding on, and in time reached the goal. At last the Hare woke up with a start, and dashed on at his fastest, but only to find that the Tortoise had already won the race. Slow and steady wins the race.

Public-domain original text shown for study context.

What happens here

A fast hare mocks a slow tortoise, naps during the race, and loses to steady effort.

Why this scene matters

This fable matters because it teaches that steady persistence can beat careless talent.

Characters in this scene

  • The Hare: The fast runner who becomes overconfident.
  • The Tortoise: The slow but steady racer who keeps moving.

Simple story version

A hare is much faster than a tortoise, but he gets lazy and sleeps. The tortoise keeps going and wins.