The Tortoise and the Hare

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s reassuring: the ending rewards steady effort, not pressure. Great for bedtime because it encourages a calm, patient mindset—‘keep going, little by little.’

Story Synopsis

On a sunny morning, a hare brags about how fast he can run and laughs at a tortoise for moving slowly. The tortoise stays calm and offers a surprising challenge: “I may be slow, but I can beat you in a race.” A fox marks the start and finish, and the race begins. The hare zooms ahead immediately. He’s so sure of winning that he decides to rest. “I’ll take a nap and still have time,” he thinks. Meanwhile, the tortoise takes one steady step after another—no rushing, no stopping. When the hare wakes, he sees the tortoise nearing the finish. He sprints, but it’s too late. The tortoise wins by simply continuing. The hare feels embarrassed, but he learns a kinder lesson: confidence is good, but finishing takes focus. It’s a classic bedtime fable because it replaces frantic hurry with a peaceful idea: slow and steady can still reach the goal.

Story Excerpt

One sunny morning, a hare hopped down the path. He saw a tortoise moving slowly along. The hare laughed. " You are so slow! " he said. " Look at your little feet. I can run so fast! " The tortoise smiled. " I may be slow, " she said, " but I can beat you in a race. " The hare laughed again. " You? Beat me? That is silly! " But then he said, " Okay. Let's race! " They asked a fox to help. The fox showed them where to start. She showed them where to finish. " When I…

In One Glance