The Rabbit and the Tortoise

In a big, green forest, all the animals lived together. Among them was a Rabbit named Speedy. Speedy was fast. Very fast. He could run like the wind. Zoom! He would zip past the deer. Whoosh! He would dart past the bear. But Speedy had a problem. He was very boastful. He loved to brag. “I am the fastest animal in the world!” he would shout. “No one can beat me! I am lightning on four legs!” The other animals found him annoying, but they stayed quiet because he really was fast.

There was also a Tortoise named Timmy. Timmy was slow. Very slow. He carried a heavy shell on his back. He walked with tiny, steady steps. Plod, plod, plod. One day, Speedy saw Timmy walking near the river. “Hey, slow-poke!” laughed Speedy. “Are you going somewhere, or are you just growing roots? You move so slowly, I can grow a beard before you reach that rock!” Timmy stopped. He smiled calmly. “Hello, Speedy. I may be slow, but I always get where I am going. In fact, I challenge you to a race.”

Speedy laughed so hard he fell onto the grass. “A race? With you? That is the best joke I have ever heard! I could dance backwards and still win!” “We shall see,” said Timmy sensibly. “Let us race to the Old Oak Tree on the hill.” “You’re on!” said Speedy.

The next morning, all the animals gathered to watch. The Fox was the judge. “Ready… Set… GO!” barked the Fox. whoosh! Speedy shot off like a rocket. In a blink, he was halfway up the hill. Timmy started walking. Step, step, step. He didn’t rush. He didn’t stop. He just kept going.

Speedy looked back. The Tortoise was a tiny speck in the distance. “This is too easy,” thought Speedy. “I have plenty of time. I am hungry. I’ll eat some of these delicious carrots.” He ate a big lunch. Then he felt full and sleepy. The sun was warm, the grass was soft. “I’ll just take a little nap,” yawned Speedy. “Even if he passes me, I can catch him in one second.” He curled up under a shady tree and fell fast asleep. Zzzzz.

Meanwhile, Timmy kept walking. The sun rose higher. It got hot. Timmy was tired, but he didn’t stop. He passed the sleeping Rabbit. He smiled quietly and kept going. Step, step, step. Hours passed. The Rabbit snored. The Tortoise plodded. Finally, Timmy reached the top of the hill. He was near the finish line! The animals at the top started cheering. “Go, Timmy! Go!”

The cheering woke up Speedy. He rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?” He looked up the hill. He saw the Tortoise just a few inches from the Old Oak Tree! “Oh no!” cried Speedy. He jumped up and ran faster than he had ever run before. His ears were flying flat. He was a blur of motion. But it was too late. Timmy took one last step and touched the tree. “I win!” said Timmy gently.

Speedy arrived a second later, panting and puffing. He couldn’t believe it. He had lost to the slowest animal in the forest. “How did you do it?” gasped Speedy. “It was simple,” said Timmy. “I didn’t stop. I didn’t brag. I just kept going. Slow and steady wins the race.” Speedy learned his lesson. He never bragged again, and he and Timmy became good friends.

Moral of the Story: Consistency and perseverance are more important than speed. Never underestimate others.