There is a hare and a tortoise. The hare is very fast. The tortoise is very slow. One day, the hare laughs at the tortoise. "You are so slow!" says the hare. The tortoise is not happy. "Let's have a race," says the tortoise. The hare laughs again. "A race? I am the fastest animal!" "Yes, but I want to try," says the tortoise. All the animals come to watch. The race begins. The hare runs very fast. The tortoise walks very slowly. The hare looks back. The tortoise is far behind. "This is too easy," thinks the hare. "I have time to rest." The hare sits under a tree. He closes his eyes. The hare falls asleep. The tortoise keeps walking. He does not stop. The sun is hot, but the tortoise keeps going. The tortoise passes the sleeping hare. The finish line is close now. The hare wakes up. He sees the tortoise near the finish line. The hare runs as fast as he can. But it is too late. The tortoise crosses the finish line first. All the animals cheer. "The tortoise wins!" they shout. The hare is very surprised. "Slow and steady wins the race," says the tortoise.
The Tortoise and the Hare
English Story for Beginners (A1)
This A1 English story is designed for beginners learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
A proud hare challenges a slow tortoise to a race, confident of an easy victory. The hare runs far ahead and decides to take a nap, while the tortoise keeps moving steadily. The hare wakes up too late and watches the tortoise win, learning that patience and persistence beat overconfidence.
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Vocabulary
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