FABLE XLV
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
The Hare was very fast. The Tortoise was very slow. The Hare laughed at the Tortoise. "You are slow!" she said. She laughed at his slow pace. She thought she was the best runner. The Hare ran very fast. She said, "I am fast!" She laughed. The Tortoise was quiet.
The Tortoise had an idea. He said, "Run a race!" Hare looked surprised. "A race?" she asked. "Yes," said the Tortoise. "We run to the big tree. Fox will watch." He wanted to try. He wanted to win.
The Hare laughed. "Okay," she said. "I will run." The Fox called, "Ready! Go!" The Hare was quick. The Tortoise was steady. The race had begun. The Hare ran very fast. The Tortoise started to walk. He walked slowly. They both began the race.
The Hare ran far ahead. She was very fast. The Tortoise was far behind. She looked back. Tortoise was a tiny dot. She felt safe to rest. The Hare felt tired. She saw a nice spot. "I will rest now," she thought. "The Tortoise is very slow. I have much time. I can sleep now." She closed her eyes. She went to sleep.
The Tortoise walked and walked. He did not stop. He walked slowly. He walked with care. He kept moving his feet. He did not look back. He just walked and walked. He was very steady. He had a goal. He kept his eyes forward. He walked and walked and walked.
The Hare slept for a long time. She thought she would win. She was very sure. She slept too much. She did not wake up soon. Her pride made her sleep. She was very confident. She dreamed of winning. She thought she was too good. She did not worry. She stayed asleep.
The Tortoise came to the big tree. This was the finish line. He saw the tree. He felt happy. He crossed the line. He walked past it. The Hare was still sleeping. The Tortoise reached the end. He finished the race first. He did it.
The Hare woke up. She looked for the Tortoise. He was not there. She ran to the finish line. She saw him there. She lost the race. She learned a lesson. The Tortoise was already there. He won the race. The Hare was sad. The Tortoise worked hard. He did not stop. Hard work is better than lazy speed.
Original Story
FABLE XLV.
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE.
A hare twitted a Tortoise on account of his slowness, and vainly boasted of her own great speed in running. "Let us make a match," replied the Tortoise: "I'll run with you five miles for five pounds, and the Fox yonder shall be the umpire of the race." The Hare agreed, and away they both started together. But the Hare, by reason of her exceeding swiftness, outran the Tortoise to such a degree that she made a jest of the matter, and, finding herself a little tired, squatted in a tuft of fern that grew by the way, and took a nap, thinking that, if the Tortoise went by, she could at any time catch him up with all the ease imaginable. In the meanwhile the Tortoise came jogging on, with a slow but continued motion; and the Hare, out of a too great security and confidence of victory, oversleeping herself, the Tortoise arrived at the end of the race first.
MORAL.
Industry and application will, in most cases, do more than quick and ready wit. The highest genius, without industry, will generally fail of any great exploit.
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE.
Story DNA
Moral
Industry and application will, in most cases, do more than quick and ready wit. The highest genius, without industry, will generally fail of any great exploit.
Plot Summary
A swift Hare mocks a slow Tortoise, leading to a challenge for a race. The overconfident Hare quickly takes a large lead and decides to nap, believing she can easily catch up. Meanwhile, the Tortoise continues his slow but steady pace. The Hare oversleeps, and the diligent Tortoise reaches the finish line first, winning the race and proving the value of perseverance over natural talent without effort.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This fable is one of Aesop's most famous, illustrating a timeless moral lesson through simple animal characters.
Plot Beats (8)
- The Hare mocks the Tortoise for his slowness and boasts about her own speed.
- The Tortoise proposes a five-mile race for five pounds, with the Fox as umpire.
- The Hare agrees, and they both start the race.
- The Hare quickly outruns the Tortoise and, finding herself tired, decides to take a nap.
- The Tortoise continues to move slowly but without stopping.
- The Hare oversleeps due to her overconfidence.
- The Tortoise reaches the finish line first.
- The Tortoise wins the race, demonstrating the value of industry over quick wit.
Characters
The Hare
A slender, agile hare with long, powerful hind legs built for speed. Her fur is a mottled brown and grey, blending well with forest undergrowth. She has a lean, muscular build, approximately 2 feet tall when standing on hind legs.
Attire: None, as she is an animal.
Wants: To prove her superiority in speed and to receive admiration and validation for her natural talents.
Flaw: Overconfidence and a lack of sustained effort; she believes her natural talent is enough without hard work.
She experiences a humbling defeat, learning (or at least being shown) that natural talent without industry is insufficient.
Boastful, overconfident, quick-witted, lazy, and prone to underestimating others.
The Tortoise
A sturdy, ancient-looking tortoise with a large, domed shell of mottled greens and browns, showing signs of age and wear. His legs are thick and scaly, supporting his heavy body. He is approximately 1.5 feet long.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To prove that consistent effort and perseverance can overcome natural talent and arrogance.
Flaw: His inherent slowness, which makes him an easy target for ridicule.
He remains consistent throughout the story, serving as the embodiment of the moral, and achieves victory through his steadfastness.
Patient, persistent, humble, determined, and wise.
The Fox
A sleek, cunning fox with reddish-brown fur, a bushy tail, and alert, intelligent eyes. He is of average size for a fox, lean and agile, approximately 2.5 feet long excluding the tail.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To fulfill his role as an impartial judge for the race.
Flaw: Not applicable, as his role is purely observational.
Remains a static character, serving as a plot device to facilitate the race.
Observant, impartial, and fair (in his role as umpire).
Locations
Starting Line in the Meadow
A wide, open meadow with short, springy grass, possibly at the edge of a more wooded area. The ground is firm and slightly uneven, suitable for running.
Mood: anticipatory, competitive, open
The Hare and Tortoise agree to the race, and the Fox sets them off.
Fern Tuft by the Way
A dense cluster of tall, green ferns growing beside the race path, offering enough cover and shade for a small animal to rest or hide. The path itself is a narrow dirt track winding through the natural landscape.
Mood: peaceful, complacent, natural
The Hare, overconfident, decides to take a nap here, leading to her downfall.
Finish Line
The designated end point of the five-mile race, likely marked by a natural feature or a simple marker in another part of the open landscape, perhaps near a distinctive rock or a specific tree.
Mood: triumphant for one, regretful for another, conclusive
The Tortoise crosses the finish line first, winning the race.