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
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 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
- Why did the hare decide to take a nap during the race?
- What was the tortoise’s strategy during the race?
- What happened when the hare woke up from his nap?
- How did the other animals in the forest react to the outcome of the race?
- What is the moral of the story?
Answers
- The hare decided to take a nap because he was confident he could win easily.
- The tortoise’s strategy was to keep moving slowly and steadily.
- The hare woke up to find the tortoise nearing the finish line, and he rushed to catch up, but it was too late.
- The other animals 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,” 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.
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