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The tortoise won and passed the hare Who loudly did complain "You did not beat me fair and square Come, let us race again." "If that is what you want to do" The tortoise said, "I will." "Let's see who's the first one to The peak of yonder hill." "The animals all came out to see And shouted: "Ready? Go!" They sent ahead as referee An old and trusted crow. The hare rushed forward to the lead This time he'll win the race! The tortoise could not match his speed But kept its plodding pace. Past rocks, past plants, in swift advance The hare went hop, hop, hop So sure the tortoise had no chance... But oh! He had to stop. For right across his path he saw A stream both deep and wide; The summit where he meant to go Was on the other side. No bridge was anywhere in sight No ford where he could cross He searched his left, he searched his right And still was at a loss. And there he stood as hours passed His speed of no avail Until the tortoise came at last Still plodding down the trail. "Hello, hello, my nimble friend I wonder why you stopped. For I go on, up to the end--" And in the stream he plopped. The tortoise swam across the creek And then his plod resumed He slowly climbed the distant peak... The hare just cursed and fumed. The moral: All you young rabbits, rash and strong: Avoid a foolish race! Old tortoise still can prove you wrong And put you in your place. |
Author and Curator: Dr. David P. Stern
Mail to Dr.Stern: david("at" symbol)phy6.org .
Last updated 15 May 2002