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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
anyone here to race with me."
The tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."
"That is a good joke," said the hare. "I could dance around you all
the way."
"Keep your boasting until 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 take a nap. The tortoise plodded on and
plodded on, and when the hare awoke from his nap, he saw the
tortoise nearing the finish line, and he could not catch up in time
to save the race. |
