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The tortoise and the hare
A short story
The hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten," he said, "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 me," 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."
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