ELVE : travailler avec des histoires, des contes, des fables. publié le 20/08/2008

The Hare and the Tortoise.

by Aesop

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."