other animals.  "I have never yet been beaten," said he, 

"when I put forth my full speed.  I challenge any one here

to race with me."

     The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."

     "That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could dance 

round you all the way."

     "Keep your boasting till you've beaten," answered the 

Tortoise.  "Shall we race?"

     So a course was fixed and a start was made.  The Hare

darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, 

to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have

a nap.  The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when 

the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just

near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save 

the race.  Then said the Tortoise:

     "Plodding wins the race."