Classic English Reading

Monday's Child | The Walrus and the Carpenter | The Grasshopper | The Hare and the Hound | I Wish I Loved the Human Race

The Hare and the Tortoise

Aesop

One day the Hare laughed at the short feet and slow speed of the Tortoise. The Tortoise replied:

"You may be as fast as the wind, but I will beat you in a race!"

The Hare thought this idea was impossible and he agreed to the proposal. It was agreed that the Fox should choose the course and decide the end.

The day for the race came, and the Tortoise and Hare started together.

The Tortoise never stopped for a moment, walking slowly but steadily, right to the end of the course. The Hare ran fast and stopped to lie down for a rest. But he fell fast asleep. Eventually, he woke up and ran as fast as he could. But when he reached the end, he saw the Tortoise there already, sleeping comfortably after her effort.

The Hare and the Hound

Aesop

A Hound chased a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, the Hound stopped chasing. A goat-herd who was watching laughed at the Hound and said:

"The little Hare is the better runner of you two!"

The Hound replied:

"But you do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner; he was running for his life."