A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think.
I'll run you a race and prove it."
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise
but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox
who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply
how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare
he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and
after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping
But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up
the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest
but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.