The Rabbit and the Tortoise
It is a bright spring morning.A Tortoise walks by and meets a Rabbit.
Tortoise:Hi there,Mr. Rabbit.
Beautiful day, isn’t it?
Rabbit: Aren’t you“the Slow Tortoise”?
The Tortoise is a little mad, but he doesn’t show it.The Tortoise still tries to be nice to the Rabbit.
Tortoise:Yes,I’m Mr. Tortoise.
I’m happy to meet you.
Let’s be friends.
Rabbit:No, thank you.
Idon’t want to be your friend.
Tortoise:How come?
Rabbit:Your legs are too short.
You can’t jump.
And you are too slow.
Tortoise:My legs may be short.
And I may be slow.
But I can still beat you in a race.
Rabbit:Ha!Ha!Ha! That’s funny!
How can you beat me?
I am much faster.
Tortoise:I can beat you for sure.
Rabbit:No, you can’t!
Tortoise:Yes,I can!
Rabbit:No, you can’t!
Tortoise:Yes,I can!
Let’s have a race now.
Then you’ll see.
Rabbit:Now? Okay! Why not?
I will win for sure.
Tortoise:Let’s make a bet.
If I win, you must carry me on your back.
Rabbit:I promise.
But if I win, you must carry me.
Tortoise:Fine.
The other animals in the forest hear about the race and gather to see the Tortoise and the Rabbit run.The race is about to start.
Tortoise:See the mountain top?
Rabbit:Yes.
Tortoise:The first one to reach there, wins.
Okay?
Rabbit:Okay.
The Fox is the starter.
Fox:Stand behind this line.
Are you both ready?
Tortoise:Yes
Rabbit:Me too.
Fox:Okay.I’ll start the race.
One!Two!Three!Go!
The Fox drops the white handkerchief and the race starts.
The Rabbit is very fast and is already way ahead.The tortoise walks very slowly.The other animals are all cheering for the Tortoise.The Fox is worried about the Tortoise.
Fox:Poor Mr. Tortoise.
He will lose for sure.
Goat:How do you know?
Maybe he will win.
The Rabbit is already half way up the mountain.He is out of breath.He stops to look behind.
Rabbit:Where is the Tortoise?
Ican’t even see him.
He is too slow for me.
This is too easy.
The Rabbit decides to take a nap before the Tortoise comes.
Rabbit:I am a little tired.
And I have a lot of time.
So,I will take a nap here.
The Rabbit takes a nap.Even though the Tortoise is still far behind, he doesn’t stop or give up.He just walks and walks and walks.
Tortoise:I am tired, but I must go on.
I must win the race.
One, two.One, two.
The Rabbit falls asleep and continues to sleep for hours.The Tortoise is now at the middle of the mountain.He sees the Rabbit sleeping.
Tortoise:It’s Mr. Rabbit!
Why is he sleeping here?
He must be very tired.
I am tired, too.
But I must go on.
One, two.One, two.
The mountain top is not too far away.The Tortoise is almost at the finish line.All the other animals are surprised.
Goat:Look!It’s the Tortoise!
Fox:Where’s the Rabbit?
Goat:Who knows?Come on, Mr. Tortoise!
Go! Go! Go!
The tortoise takes one step, and another step, and another.
Tortoise:One, two.One, two.
I’m almost there.
Just then, the Rabbit wakes up from his nap and is surprised.He realizes that he has slept too long.He sees the Tortoise near the mountain top.He runs, and runs, and runs, but it’s no use.
Rabbit:Faster!Faster! I must run faster!
Finally, the Tortoise reaches the mountain top first and wins the race.
Goat:Hooray! Hooray for Mr. Tortoise!
Fox:Congratulations, Mr. Tortoise!
You won the race!
Tortoise:Thank you, thank you, everyone!
The Rabbit is too late.He feels ashamed.
Rabbit:Oh, no!I lost.
Now I have to carry the Tortoise on my back.
The Rabbit goes to shake hands with the Tortoise.
Rabbit:Good race.Congratulations, Mr. Tortoise.
You won the race.
Tortoise:I told you,I would win.
Rabbit:But how did you do it?
Tortoise:It wasn’t too hard.
Just take one step after another.
It may be slow,
but you will get there for sure.
Rabbit:Oh…Now,I will keep my promise.
Climb up on my back.
Tortoise:That’s okay.
Let’s just be friends.
MORAL
Talent is of no use without effort.
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