Once upon a time, there was a rabbit and a tortoise living in a forest.
You all know that the rabbit is one of the fastest animals. And everyone knows that the tortoise is the slowest moving animal, carrying its home on its back. But did you know that a tortoise could outrun a rabbit in a race?
Here's how the story unfolded.
One day, to annoy the rabbit, the tortoise said to him:
— It seems to me that all this talk about you being the fastest runner is just made up. I'm sure I can beat you in a race.
The rabbit couldn't believe his ears at first. He thought he had misheard the tortoise's words. But when he saw that the tortoise was truly serious about racing him, he burst into laughter.
— Are you crazy? How can you possibly race me? How do you believe you can beat me?
— Oh really? If you're scared, just admit it openly. But if you're not afraid of me, then let's race!
The rabbit accepted the tortoise's challenge. They chose a place for the race. Various animals gathered at the starting line and the finish line. Everyone wanted to know how this race would end.
The hedgehog, who was the chief referee, ruffled his quills and gave the signal:
— The race has begun!
Although the heavy-shelled, crooked-legged tortoise pushed forward with all its might, its breathless run was so slow that the rabbit didn't even move from its spot.
— You go on and walk a bit, I'll catch up to you in two steps, — said the rabbit, and began to munch on grass in the meadow.
After a while, the rabbit looked at the tortoise again. The tortoise was moving forward confidently. But it was still very close to where the rabbit was.
— If I start running now, I'll finish the race three hours before this silly tortoise. Let me get some sleep, — he thought.
Indeed, he lay down and fell asleep. Suddenly, he woke up with a start. At first, he couldn't remember where he was. Then everything came back to him. He looked anxiously at the tortoise. The tortoise was already very close to the finish line.
Although the rabbit started running with all his might, he couldn't avoid losing the race.
— Did you see? — the tortoise said, breathing deeply from exhaustion. — I proved that not everything said is true.
The tortoise won the race against the rabbit.
The heavy defeat, caused by looking down on others, greatly embarrassed the rabbit. Unable to accept losing to the tortoise and losing the race, he had to move to a place far from everyone's eyes.
Don't rely too much on your own strength. Don't forget that overconfidence can cause you great harm!
