One sunny morning, in a big green meadow, lived a hare named Harry. Harry loved to run. Zoom! He would dash past the flowers. Whizz! He would leap over bushes. He was very, very fast, and he knew it.

One day, Harry saw Tommy the Tortoise. Tommy was moving slowly, step by step, munching on a tasty clover.
Harry hopped over. "Hello, Tommy!" he said, twitching his nose. "You're so slow! I bet I could beat you in a race with my eyes closed!"

Tommy looked up. He wasn't as fast as Harry, that was true, but he was very determined. "Alright, Harry," said Tommy quietly. "Let's race. We'll race to the big oak tree at the end of the meadow."

All the other animals gathered to watch. Freddie the Fox shouted, "Ready, set, GO!"

Harry shot off like a rocket! Vroooom! He was so far ahead in just a few seconds. He looked back and could barely see Tommy, who was taking one slow, steady step after another. Plod, plod, plod.

"This is too easy!" Harry thought. "Tommy is so far behind. I have plenty of time for a little rest." He saw a comfy patch of grass under a shady tree. "A quick nap won't hurt," he yawned. Soon, Harry was fast asleep, dreaming of winning the race and how everyone would cheer for him.

Meanwhile, Tommy kept going. Plod, plod, plod. He didn't stop. He didn't look around. He just kept his eyes on the big oak tree. Slowly but surely, he passed the sleeping Harry. Tommy just smiled a little and kept on walking. Plod, plod, plod.

After a while, Harry woke up with a start. "Oh dear!" he thought, stretching. "I must have slept for a long time!"
He looked towards the finish line. And what did he see? Tommy the Tortoise, very, very close to the big oak tree!

Harry jumped up and ran as fast as he could. Dash, dash, dash! He ran faster than he ever had before. But it was too late.
Just as Harry got close, Tommy took his last slow step and crossed the finish line.

Tommy the Tortoise had won the race!
All the animals cheered. Harry felt a bit silly. He learned that day that being fast is good, but being steady and never giving up is even better.

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