The Rabbit and the Tortoise

In a sunny meadow, lived a happy Rabbit who loved to hop, hop, hop, and a calm Tortoise who walked with a slow, steady plop. The Rabbit was super fast, while the Tortoise was always patient.

One day, the Rabbit boasted, 'I'm the fastest animal in the whole forest!' He turned to the Tortoise and asked with a giggle, 'Would you like to race me?'

The Tortoise smiled a calm smile. 'Of course, Rabbit. I will race you. I will do my very best,' he said. The Rabbit was a little surprised by how calm he was.

The race began! The Rabbit shot off like an arrow and was gone in a flash! He left a little cloud of dust behind him.

But the Tortoise didn't hurry. 'Step by step, slow and steady,' he said to himself. He started on his way, moving at the same patient pace without stopping.

The Rabbit ran so fast that he was soon far, far ahead. He looked back but couldn't see the Tortoise anywhere. 'He is so slow! I have plenty of time to rest,' he thought.

He saw a field full of yummy, orange carrots by the side of the road. 'A little snack won't hurt,' he said, and started munching happily on the carrots.

With a full tummy, the Rabbit felt sleepy. He curled up on the soft grass under a shady tree and fell fast asleep.

Meanwhile, the Tortoise kept walking, walking, walking without a stop. He quietly passed the sleeping Rabbit and continued on his way.

With his slow but steady steps, the Tortoise climbed the hill and reached the finish line! The other animals in the forest began to cheer for him.

The cheering woke the Rabbit up! He dashed to the finish line as fast as he could, but it was too late. He saw that the Tortoise had already won the race.

The Rabbit wasn't sad. He went to his friend and congratulated him. 'Congratulations, my friend! You never gave up, and you won!' he said. That day, he learned that being patient and steady is what brings success.