6th century BCE (oral); first written compilations 4th century BCE·Greece·Folklore
The Tortoise and the Hare
As told by Aesop
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A hare laughed at the slow pace of a tortoise one day. The tortoise replied, "Though you are as fast as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The hare, thinking this was impossible, agreed to the proposal. They asked the fox to set the course and decide the winner.
On the appointed day they started together. The tortoise never stopped for a moment but plodded along at his own slow, steady pace toward the end of the course. The hare, sure he could win whenever he chose, lay down by the wayside to take a rest.
When at last he woke up and ran as fast as he could, the tortoise had reached the goal and lay there resting comfortably after his journey.
Slow and steady wins the race.