ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
    • ESL Textbooks for Adults
    • ESL Textbooks for Children
  • Teacher Resources
    • Resources
    • Online TEFL Course
  • Learn English
    • Learn English
    • Confusing English Words

in Activities for Adults· Activities for Kids

The Hare and the Tortoise: Reading Comprehension Activity

Are you looking for an English short story for reading exercise? Why not use this very famous tale about the hare and the tortoise? We have three versions of the story for different levels of English readers: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Use the appropriate level for you or your students.

In this article, we also provide the moral of the story of the rabbit and the turtle, along with reading comprehensive questions and answers. Also, learn a list of key vocabulary from this English short story.

the hare and the tortoise

The Hare and the Tortoise

If you know your English reading level, jump to the appropriate one. If not, start with the beginner level and see if you’d be able to challenge yourself to read the intermediate or advanced version of “The Hare and the Tortoise”

Beginner

Once upon a time, there was a tortoise and a hare in a big forest. The tortoise was slow, but he always kept moving, and the hare was very fast but a little lazy. One sunny day, the hare said, “Let’s have a race, Mr. Tortoise! I’m sure I’ll win.”

The tortoise agreed, and all the animals gathered to watch. The race started, and the hare quickly raced ahead. Feeling confident, the hare decided to take a nap under a tree.

While the hare was sleeping, the tortoise kept going, step by step. Slowly but surely, he got closer to the finish line. When the hare woke up and saw the tortoise near the finish line, he raced as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise had already won the race.

The animals cheered for the tortoise, teaching everyone that being slow and steady can sometimes be better than being fast and lazy.

Intermediate

Once upon a time, in a green and peaceful forest, there lived a tortoise and a hare. The tortoise was slow but steady, and the hare was fast but a bit lazy. One sunny day, the hare looked at the tortoise and said, “Hey, slowpoke! I bet I can run faster than you. How about a race?”

The tortoise, not one to back down, agreed to the challenge. The animals in the forest gathered around to watch the race, excited to see who would win.

As the race began, the hare sprinted ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind. The hare was so confident in his speed that he decided to take a nap under a shady tree. “I have plenty of time to win,” he thought.

Meanwhile, the tortoise kept plodding along, step by step, determined to reach the finish line. Slowly but steadily, he closed the gap between him and the sleeping hare.

Just as the tortoise was about to reach the finish line, the hare woke up. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the tortoise near the end. The hare sprinted as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise crossed the finish line first, winning the race.

The animals in the forest cheered for the tortoise, amazed at how his steady effort had triumphed over the hare’s overconfidence.

The moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. It’s not always about being the fastest; sometimes, patience and persistence lead to success.

Advanced

In the heart of a vast and enchanting forest, there resided a tortoise renowned for his unwavering determination and a hare known for his lightning speed coupled with a tendency towards idleness. One splendid day, the hare, feeling a surge of confidence, proposed a race to the tortoise.

The tortoise, ever steadfast, accepted the challenge, and soon the entire woodland community gathered to witness the spectacle. As the race commenced, the hare surged ahead with remarkable swiftness, leaving the tortoise trailing behind. Filled with hubris, the hare decided to take respite beneath the cool shade of a tree, convinced that victory was assured.

While the hare dozed off in leisure, the tortoise, persistent in his plodding pace, steadily closed the gap. Each deliberate step brought him nearer to the finish line, a testament to the tortoise’s unyielding commitment.

The hare awoke to find the tortoise in close pursuit and, in a sudden panic, dashed toward the finish line. Despite the hare’s accelerated sprint, it was too late. The tortoise, through gradual and determined progress, crossed the finish line before the hare, securing an unexpected triumph.

The assembled animals erupted in applause, recognizing the profound lesson that diligence and perseverance can overcome the fleeting advantages of speed and overconfidence. Thus, in the tapestry of the forest, the tale of the tortoise and the hare wove a narrative of intricate moral complexity.

The Hare and the Tortoise: Moral of the Story

The lesson of “The Tortoise and the Hare” is to keep going and not to be too confident. The story shows that even if you’re not the fastest, if you work hard and don’t give up, you can still win in the end. So, it’s like saying, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Vocabulary from The Hare and the Tortoise

Here’s a list of key vocabulary that appeared in the story.

  • tortoise: A kind of turtle.
  • hare: A kind of rabbit.
  • Cheered: Shouted encouragement and support.
  • lazy: Not a hard worker.
  • sprinted: Ran quickly.
  • plodding: Moving slowly.

the rabbit and the turtle moral story

The Hare and The Tortoise: Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension activities assess and ensure that the reader has understood the story. These questions test the basic understanding and thinking skills such as analysis and interpretation. If you are an English teacher, use these reading comprehension questions to evaluate your student’s ability to extract meaning, make connections, and apply the information they’ve acquired.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Why did the hare decide to take a nap during the race?
  2. What was the tortoise’s strategy during the race?
  3. What happened when the hare woke up from his nap?
  4. How did the other animals in the forest react to the outcome of the race?
  5. What is the moral of the story?

Answers

  1. The hare decided to take a nap because he was confident he could win easily.
  2. The tortoise’s strategy was to keep moving slowly and steadily.
  3. The hare woke up to find the tortoise nearing the finish line, and he rushed to catch up, but it was too late.
  4. The other animals cheered for the tortoise, amazed at how his steady effort had triumphed over the hare’s overconfidence.
  5. The moral of the story is that “slow and steady wins the race,” emphasizing the importance of persistence and determination.

More English Stories

Check out more interesting and fun English short stories and comprehension questions that will help improve your reading skills.

  • The Frightened Lion
  • A Council of Mice
  • The Fox and the Crow
  • The Boy Who Cried Wolf
  • The Bear and the Bee

The Rabbit and Tortoise Story: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on this classic moral story about the rabbit and the turtle? Do you agree with the moral of the story? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults, Great Debates for ESL/EFL, and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
YouTube
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram

« The Frightened Lion: Reading Comprehension Activity
A Bundle of Sticks: Reading Comprehension Activity »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners and Teachers (Teaching...
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners and Teachers (Teaching...
Check Price on Amazon
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games & Activities for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults: The Ultimate Book for...
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games & Activities for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults: The Ultimate Book for...
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

Search this site

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
TOEFL iBT Vocabulary Builder for Score 90+: Higher-Level TOEFL Words, Expressions, Phrases & Idioms...
TOEFL iBT Vocabulary Builder for Score 90+: Higher-Level TOEFL Words, Expressions, Phrases & Idioms...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

Different Types of Adverbs with Adverb Examples

Asking for Permission English Expressions, Phrases & Dialogues

Books For English Learners: Top 20 Easy Book Recommendations

Topics to Debate about With Friends | Debate Topics for Friends

50 Food Trivia Questions and Answers for All Ages

Online TEFL Courses

Get Certified Entirely Online

67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Check Price on Amazon
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
Check Price on Amazon
Jackie Bolen

Disclosure Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
  • Teacher Resources
  • Learn English

Our Top-Seller

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities

making weekend plans in english

Weekend Plans (Easy English Dialogue for Beginners)

how to order sushi in English

Ordering Sushi (Easy English Dialogue for Beginners)

English dialogue feeling under the weather

Feeling Under the Weather: English Dialogue & Practice Questions

dialogue meet someone new

Meeting Someone New Dialogue (For English Learners)

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL speaking since 2014 and the goal is to bring you the best recommendations for English conversation games, activities, lesson plans and more. It’s your go-to source for everything TEFL!

About and Contact for ESL Speaking.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2025 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.