The fable tells the story of the Annual Woodland Race between Hare and Tortoise. Hare brags that he will easily win but stops to rest along the way, falling asleep. Meanwhile, Tortoise steadily makes his way to the finish line and wins the race. The moral is that slow and steady wins the race over pride and arrogance.

1. The Hare
and the Tortoise

2. It was time once again for the Annual
Woodland Race. All of the forest
animals were very excited about
competing in the race and winning the
precious trophy. It was a great honour
to win such an award so all kinds of
animal had signed up to take part.

3. However, at the starting line of the race,
many of the signed up animals changed their
mind and decided not to race, and why?
Well, it was Hare.
He had turned up to run the race but could
not help himself in boasting to everyone else
that he was the best at everything and that
he was going to win.

4. Tortoise, however, stood firm on the starting
line and waited to start the race, ignoring
Hare.
“Huh!” grunted Hare, “I could beat you in my
sleep. You’re so slow you could never win
anything!”
But Tortoise remained still and ready.

5. The whistle blew and the two contestants set off,
Hare went tearing ahead, leaving Tortoise moving
very slowly and carefully through a big cloud of
dust.
Hare had only been running for five minutes when
he stopped and looked behind him. Tortoise was
nowhere to be seen. “I can have a rest while I’m
waiting for that lump to catch up with me!” he
huffed and lay under a shady tree.

6. Hare dozed off in the cool of the trees and
was in a deep, deep sleep when Tortoise
came dawdling by slowly as can be.
He looked at the dreaming Hare and gave a
quiet little chuckle. “Such a boaster,” he
whispered to himself and kept wandering on
by.

7. Some time later, Hare awoke. It was dusk!
He had to hurry! He was still sure that
Tortoise would be nowhere near the finish
line.
He dusted himself down and set off at a
sprint. What did he see as he neared the
finish line?

8. Tortoise was just setting foot over that
winning line and the other animals were
cheering wildly as he slowly reached the
trophy.
The moral of this fable is: slow and
steady wins the race.

9. Final thoughts....
• Hare was proud; he boasted, 'I'm better than the rest,
I always get a prize, come top in every test.'
He had few friends, always drove them away.
He had to win at any cost, it's rather sad to say.
Tortoise was very timid, yet always tried his best
And even though he worked so hard, came far behind the rest.
In spite of this he'd loads of friends, was always full of fun.
He never said a hurtful word - was kind to everyone.
When Sports Day came a race began, they all stood on the line
The rain poured down, 'twas very cold and hare began to whine.
Tortoise, though, said nothing; as usual he tried and tried.
Soon he reached the winning post, Hare's victory he denied.
At last someone had beaten Hare, Tortoise hadn't wasted time.
Hare, so busy moaning, hadn't seen him cross the line!
Tortoise was a hero and he at last was praised.
While Hare, who'd lost the race, was totally amazed!
Tortoise, ever thoughtful, felt sorry for the Hare
And held out a hand forgivingly, his friendship to declare.
Hare now understood, he wouldn't get the praise
And Tortoise had revealed to him the error of his ways.
Tortoise had learned that plodding on would help to see him through
So we should learn to do our best in all we say and do.

10. A Prayer
• Dear God,
Please be with us in times of weakness.
Give us the strength to overcome our
difficulties.
Teach us to keep going when things are
hard for us.
Help us not to take our gifts and talents for
granted.
Amen.
•