Why I really believe that to go half a mile,
You must travel two nights and a day."
"I am very contented," the creature replied,
"Though I walk but a tortoise's pace,
But if you think proper the point to decide,
We will run half a mile in a race."
"Very good," said the hare; said the tortoise, "Proceed,
And the fox shall decide who has won,"
Then the hare started off with incredible speed;
But the tortoise walk'd leisurely on.