Name: ____________________Date: ____________
The Tortoise and the Hare
Hare could run very fast.
"I am the fastest!" he said. "Who will race me?"
"I will," said Tortoise.
Hare laughed. "You are so slow!"
"Ready, set, go!" Hare zoomed off.
Tortoise went step by step.
Hare looked back. Tortoise was far behind.
"I have time for a nap," said Hare.
He lay down under a tree. Soon he was asleep.
Tortoise kept going. Step, step, step.
He went past the tree. Hare did not wake up.
Step, step, step. The end of the race was close!
At last Hare woke up. "Oh no!"
He ran as fast as he could!
But Tortoise was over the line. He won!
The fox and the owl cheered for him.
"Slow and steady wins the race," said Tortoise.
And Hare never laughed at Tortoise again.
Questions
1. Who laughed at Tortoise?
- Fox
- Owl
- Hare
2. What did Hare do in the race?
- He took a nap
- He hid
- He swam
3. Who won the race?
- Hare
- Tortoise
- The fox
4. What does "steady" mean in this story?
- Very fast
- Going and not stopping
- Asleep
5. What does the story teach?
- Keep going and don't show off
- Naps are good
- Fast always wins
Words to know
- tortoise: slow land turtle
- hare: big wild rabbit
- race: contest of speed
- steady: never stopping
Answer key: The Tortoise and the Hare
- C. Hare
- A. He took a nap
- B. Tortoise
- B. Going and not stopping
- A. Keep going and don't show off