the hare, one day, laughing at the tortoise for his slowness and

general unwieldiness, was challenged by the latter to run a race. the

hare, looking on the whole affair as a great joke, consented, and the

fox was selected to act as umpire and hold the stakes.

the rivals started, and the hare, of course, soon left the tortoise far behind. having come midway to the goal, she began to play about, nibble the young herbage, and amuse herself in many ways. the day being warm, she even thought she would take a little nap in a shady spot, as, if the tortoise should pass her while she slept, she could easily overtake him again before he reached the end.

the tortoise meanwhile plodded on, unwavering and unresting, straight toward the goal.

the hare, having overslept herself, started up from her nap, and was surprised to find that the tortoise was nowhere in sight. off she went at full speed, but on reaching the winning-post found that the tortoise was already there, waiting for her arrival!