A hare lived in a forest. He was very proud of his speed and often laughed at the slow tortoise. “You are so slow,” he said one day. “You would take a whole day to cross this field!”
The tortoise smiled. “Then let us have a race,” she said. All the animals gathered to watch, and the fox drew a finishing line near a big banyan tree.
The race began. The hare ran fast and was soon far ahead. He looked back and saw the tortoise far behind. “I have plenty of time,” he thought. “I will rest under this tree.” Soon he fell fast asleep.
The tortoise walked on slowly and steadily. She did not stop even once. She passed the sleeping hare and kept going.
When the hare woke up, the sun was setting. He ran as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise had already crossed the finishing line, and all the animals were cheering for her.
Moral of the story
Slow and steady wins the race.
New words
- proud
- thinking that you are better than others
- speed
- how fast something moves
- gathered
- came together
- ahead
- in front
- steadily
- at an even pace, without stopping
- cheering
- shouting happily to support someone
Questions and answers
- Why did the hare laugh at the tortoise?
Show answer
He laughed at her because she was slow.
- Who drew the finishing line?
Show answer
The fox drew the finishing line.
- Why did the hare stop to rest?
Show answer
He thought he had plenty of time, because the tortoise was far behind.
- Did the tortoise stop during the race?
Show answer
No. She walked slowly and steadily without stopping even once.
- Who won the race, and why?
Show answer
The tortoise won, because she kept going while the hare slept.
- True or false: The hare was humble.
Show answer
False. The hare was proud.
Reading, speaking and writing, with a teacher
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More reading practice
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