Lit2Go

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

“The Hare and the Tortoise”

Additional Information
  • Year Published: 1867
  • Language: English
  • Country of Origin: Greece
  • Source: Aesop (1867) Aesop's Fables
  • Readability:
    • Flesch–Kincaid Level: 3.2
  • Word Count: 168
  • Genre: Fable
  • Keywords: traditional stories
  • ✎ Cite This
  • Share |

Downloads


The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. “I have never yet been beaten,” said he, “when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me.”

The Tortoise said quietly, “I accept your challenge.”

“That is a good joke,” said the Hare; “I could dance round you all the way.”

“Keep your boasting till you’ve beaten,” answered the Tortoise. “Shall we race?”

So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but 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 and could not run up in time to save the race. Then said the Tortoise:

“Plodding wins the race.”