animals}. / "I have never yet been beaten," [said he,] ["when I put

forth my full speed]. / I challenge any one here to race  {with me}." /

     The Tortoise said quietly, ["I accept your challenge."] /

     ["That is a good joke,"] said the Hare; " /  I could dance

{round you} all the way (NuA)." /

     [Keep your boasting  [till you've beaten," ]] answered the 

Tortoise. / "Shall we race?" /

     So a course was fixed  / and a start was made.   /  The Hare 

darted almost {out of sight} {at once}, but soon stopped and, to show 

his contempt {for the Tortoise}, lay down to have  a nap. /  The 

Tortoise plodded on and plodded on,   /  and [when the Hare

awoke {from his nap},] he saw the Tortoise just {near the 

winning-post}and could not run up {in time} to save the race. /  

Then said the Tortoise: /

     "Plodding wins the race." /