On the way to the field, the Hedgehog said:
“Now, listen to what I’m going to tell you. In that plowed field over there we’re to run our race. The Hare will run in one furrow, and I in the other. We begin at the top. Now, all you’ve got to do is to stand at the other end of my furrow, and directly the Hare arrives, you call out to him:
“‘Here I am already!’”
With that they reached the field. The Hedgehog told his wife where to stand, and went on to the other end.
The Hare was there waiting for him.
“Shall we start?” asked the Hare.
“Right,” said the Hedgehog.
“Now then!”
Each took up his place.
The Hare counted: