The Clever Tortoise and the Boastful Hare

The Clever Tortoise and the Boastful Hare

In many African villages, stories are told under the moonlight, around a fire, or in the comfort of the homestead after a long day. These tales—often called folktales—are more than just entertainment; they carry wisdom, humor, and lessons that echo through generations. One of my favorites is the story of the clever tortoise and the boastful hare.

The tale begins with Hare, as usual, bragging about his speed. He would boast to anyone who cared to listen—and even those who didn’t—that he was the fastest creature in the forest. “No one can outrun me,” he would say, twitching his nose and thumping his foot on the ground. The other animals grew tired of his arrogance, but none dared challenge him. None, except Tortoise.

Now, Tortoise was known in the animal kingdom for being slow but wise. His shell carried not just his home, but also patience and cleverness. So, one day, after Hare had gone on and on about his unmatched speed, Tortoise raised his head and said calmly,

“Speed is not everything, my friend. Let’s race, and we shall see.”

The forest erupted in laughter. A race? Between the swift-footed Hare and the slow Tortoise? It seemed like a joke. But Hare, eager to prove himself once again, accepted.

The day of the race arrived. The sun stretched lazily across the sky as the animals gathered to watch. The race track was marked from the big baobab tree all the way down to the river. Hare twitched with energy, ready to dash. Tortoise, steady as ever, stood at the line with no sign of worry.

“On your marks… get set… go!” shouted the parrot.

Hare shot forward like lightning, dust rising behind him. He ran so fast that within minutes he was far ahead. Glancing back, he laughed, for Tortoise was only a tiny dot struggling behind. Confident, Hare decided to take a nap beneath a shady tree near the halfway point. “I have plenty of time,” he muttered, curling up comfortably.

Meanwhile, Tortoise kept moving. Step by step. Slowly, steadily, without distraction. His mind was not on the Hare but on the finish line. The sun burned overhead, and still he moved forward. Hours passed, and finally, he reached the place where Hare slept soundly. Tortoise did not stop; he simply kept going.

By the time Hare awoke with a stretch, he realized too late what had happened. He sprang up and dashed toward the finish line, but just as he arrived, the animals were already cheering:

“Tortoise! Tortoise has won!”

The look on Hare’s face was one of disbelief. How could the slowest creature in the forest defeat him? Tortoise, with a gentle smile, said,

“My friend, speed is good, but without focus and persistence, it is wasted.”

From that day, Hare learned a little humility, and the animals never forgot the lesson: Steady effort wins where arrogance fails.

✨ Lesson for Us Today

This story might be old, but it still speaks to us. In life, we often feel pressured to rush, to be the fastest, or to compare ourselves with others. But like Tortoise, consistency, patience, and focus often matter more than quick bursts of energy. Progress may be slow, but it’s steady steps that bring us to our goals.