The Hare and the Tortoise

A hare boasted loudly to a tortoise of her speed in running, at the same time giving him a look of scorn because of his slowness.

"Let us have a race," answered the tortoise. "I will run with you five miles, and the fox over yonder shall be the judge."

The hare with a scornful smile agreed, and away they started together.

Soon the hare left the tortoise far behind, and feeling a little tired, lay down on a tuft of grass that grew by the way. "If that slow-coach passes, I shall see him and easily catch up with him again," she said to herself, and fell asleep.

In the meantime the tortoise plodded on, slowly but surely. After a time, he passed the hare, who, sure of reaching the goal first, still slept, and who awoke only to find the tortoise had reached it before her.