The Hare was once boasting of his speed before other animals. "I have never 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." "Keep your boasting till you've won," 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 the Tortoise said: "Slow but steady progress wins the race."

　　【譯文】

烏龜與兔子

　　從前有一只兔子，他在其它動物面前吹噓自己跑得是如何如何的快。

　　“當我全速奔跑的時候，我從來沒有被打敗過，”他說，“誰敢跟我比一比?” “我來跟你跑一場”，一只烏龜沉著地說。

　　“快笑死我了，” 兔子說，“我一邊跑一邊圍著你跳舞都能贏你”。 “你跑贏了再吹牛吧”，烏龜說，“我們可以開始比賽了嗎?”

　　于是，他們確定了一條比賽路線和起點。比賽開始，兔子是嗖的一聲就跑得沒影了，但他很快就停了下來。 為了讓烏龜知道他并沒把烏龜放在眼里，兔子決定睡上一覺再接著跑。 這時，烏龜正一點一點艱難地向前爬著。 當兔子一覺醒來，發(fā)現(xiàn)烏龜離終點已經(jīng)很近了，要追已經(jīng)趕不上了。

　　這時，烏龜說：“踏踏實實、一步步前進，你就會贏得比賽”。