A Hare made fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.

"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.

"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it."

The Hare was greatly amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of it, he agreed. So the Fox, who had agreed to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners.

The Hare was soon out of sight. To make the Tortoise feel how truly ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise caught up.

Meanwhile, the Tortoise kept going slowly but steadily. After a time, he passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on peacefully. When he at last woke up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.