Jean Valjean

Hello. My name is Tortoise, and I live in a big, sunny meadow full of sweet clover. I love to take my time and look at all the pretty flowers as I walk. But my friend, Hare, is always in a hurry. He has long legs and loves to tell everyone how fast he can run. One bright morning, he laughed and said he could beat me in a race. That’s how the story of The Tortoise and the Hare began.

All our friends from the woods gathered to watch. 'Ready, set, go.' shouted the wise old Owl. Whoosh. Hare was gone in a flash of white fur, kicking up dust behind him. I just put one foot in front of the other. Plod, plod, plod. It was not fast, but I kept going. Far ahead, Hare was so sure he would win that he decided to stop for a little nap under a shady tree. He thought he had plenty of time. But I did not stop. I just kept my eyes on the path and walked my slow, steady walk.

Plod, plod, plod. I walked right past the sleeping Hare. I could see the finish line. It was a big red ribbon tied between two oak trees. I stretched my neck out and crossed the line just as Hare woke up and saw me. He could not believe it. I had won. This story teaches everyone that being slow and steady can be just as good as being fast. It is a tale that parents still tell their children to remind them to never give up, and it helps us all remember that just doing your best is what really matters.