The story of the Rabbit and Tortoise has been a classic fable for children for many years, often used to teach lessons about perseverance, patience, and humility. There are several variations of this story, each with a unique twist, setting, or moral lesson. Here are a few different versions that can be told to kids:
Classic Version (Aesop’s Fable)
Once upon a time, in a big, green forest, there lived a Rabbit and a Tortoise. The Rabbit was very fast. He loved to hop around and race everyone. He always said, “I’m the fastest animal in the forest! No one can beat me!“
One day, the Rabbit was bragging again, saying, “I can run faster than anyone, even the fastest cheetah!“
The Tortoise, who was very slow and steady, heard the Rabbit and said, “I may be slow, but I think I could beat you in a race.“
The Rabbit mocked him and said, “You? You’re so slow! I’ll race you, and I’ll win in no time!“
So, all the animals gathered to watch the big race. The Fox would be the judge. He shouted, “On your marks, get set, go!”
Zoom! The Rabbit was off like a rocket. He was so fast, he zoomed around trees and over rocks, leaving the Tortoise far behind.
The Rabbit thought, “I’m so fast! I’m going to take a nap while the Tortoise is still far behind.” So, he found a cozy spot under a tree, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, the Tortoise was slowly and steadily plodding along. Step by step, he kept moving forward, not stopping for anything.
The Rabbit kept sleeping and sleeping. He was so sure he would win that he didn’t even notice the Tortoise getting closer and closer!
Finally, the Tortoise reached the finish line, and he won the race! When the Rabbit woke up, he was shocked to see that the Tortoise had already crossed the line.
The other animals cheered and said, “Hooray for the Tortoise!“
The Rabbit felt a little embarrassed, but the Tortoise smiled and said, “It’s not about being the fastest. It’s about being steady and never giving up.“
Moral:
“Slow and steady wins the race.” This teaches that persistence and consistency are more important than speed or boasting.
After the race, the rabbit found himself facing mockery from other animals wherever he went. Determined to prove himself, he decided to challenge the tortoise to another race. The tortoise, now brimming with confidence and supported by a cheering crowd, eagerly accepted the challenge.
When the race began, the rabbit sprinted at full speed, paying no attention to the tortoise’s slower pace, and soon crossed the finish line, winning the race easily.
Moral: Don’t lower your standards/capabilities if you have weak competition.
After the second race, the tortoise was heartbroken, as everyone dismissed his previous victory as a mere fluke. Feeling down, he sought advice from the jungle’s wisest animal, the monkey. The monkey encouraged him to focus on his strengths. Tortoise went into the cave to do the meditation and suddenly, an idea clicked in his mind.
The next day, the tortoise approached the rabbit again with a challenge. The rabbit, still riding high on his recent victory, mocked him, asking if he was ready to lose once more. Undeterred, the tortoise insisted on setting the terms for the race. Confident in his speed, the rabbit agreed without hesitation.
The following day, the tortoise gathered the entire jungle at the riverfront and pointed to the river, declaring that it would be the race course. The challenge was simple: whoever could reach the opposite side of the river first would win.
The rabbit, unable to swim, was quickly outmatched. Meanwhile, the tortoise, knowing how to navigate the water, crossed the river with ease and claimed victory.
Moral: Identify your strengths and build your race course on the basis of strengths
After the river race, the tortoise and rabbit became good friends. One day, they heard about a new animal that had arrived in the jungle, who was being hailed as the fastest of them all. The King of the Jungle made an announcement: whoever could defeat this new animal in a race would be rewarded with free food for life.
Excited by the challenge, both the rabbit and the tortoise decided to team up for a relay race. They planned a course that covered both the ground and the river, making it a true test of speed and skill.
When the race began, the rabbit sprinted ahead, quickly covering the ground and passing the baton to the tortoise. The tortoise then took over, navigating the river with his steady pace, and finished the race with remarkable efficiency, setting a new record.
Together, the rabbit and the tortoise proved that teamwork and strategy could overcome any challenge.
Moral: Collaboration is the key to success. Chetan Bhagat coined this as Cooperate to Dominate theory for smart work.