The Tortoise and the Hare
Once upon a time, in a green meadow, a quick little hare loved to boast. "I am the fastest runner in the whole forest!" he said proudly. A slow, gentle tortoise heard him and smiled. "Would you like to race me?" asked the tortoise. The hare laughed and laughed. "That is the silliest idea I have ever heard!" But he agreed, just for fun. All the animals gathered by the big oak tree to watch. "Ready, set, go!" shouted the wise old owl. The hare zoomed ahead so fast that he was soon far, far away. He looked back and could not see the tortoise anywhere. "I have so much time," the hare said with a yawn, and curled up under a shady tree for a little nap. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept walking, slow and steady, one step after another. While the hare was napping, the tortoise quietly passed him by. When the hare woke up, the sun was low in the sky. He dashed toward the finish line as fast as his legs could go. But the tortoise was already there, smiling by the ribbon. All the animals cheered. "Slow and steady wins the race!" they sang together. The hare hugged the tortoise. "You taught me something important today," he said, and from then on they became the very best of friends.