The Hare, one day, laughing at the Tortoise for his slowness and
general unwieldiness, was challenged by the latter to run a race. The
Hare, looking on the whole affair as a great joke, consented, and the
Fox was selected to act as umpire and hold the stakes.
The rivals started, and the Hare, of course, soon left the Tortoise far
behind. Having come midway to the goal, she began to play about,
nibble the young herbage, and amuse herself in many ways. The day
being warm, she even thought she would take a little nap in a shady
spot, as, if the Tortoise should pass her while she slept, she could
easily overtake him again before he reached the end.
The Tortoise meanwhile plodded on, unwavering and unresting, straight
toward the goal.
The Hare, having overslept herself, started up from her nap, and was
surprised to find that the Tortoise was nowhere in sight. Off she went
at full speed, but on reaching the winning-post found that the Tortoise
was already there, waiting for her arrival!