The tortoise watched some field mice play,
One beautiful sunny summer's day,
When who should fix him with a stare,
Than his old race partner, the hare.
He wore brand new running shoes,
And said, "This time I'll not lose.
You must race me,
From here to that tree."
The tortoise looked him in the eye,
And said with a sigh,
"Are you sure this is what you need?
Do you really want to test our speed? "
Said the hare, "With this race,
I'll put you in your place.
I'm out to prove,
Just how fast I can move."
Many animals gathered for the show,
The badger cried, "On your marks, go! "
The hare ran like the wind,
And at the finish he grinned,
Saying, "Look who is last,
Now see who is fast."
Then he sat down to wait,
Found a leafy dandelion, and ate.
He watched the tortoise with both eyes,
Saying, "I'll stay awake for my prize."
The tortoise arrived just before dark,
And made an interesting remark,
"Today I've seen so much,
Flowers like silk to the touch.
Did you happen to see,
That dancing bumble bee?
Did you notice the stream's every bend,
And how it's joyful song will never end?
I would like you to know,
There is more to going slow.
You may have beaten me by a mile,
But did your journey make you smile? "
The hare thought for a while,
Then said, "I think you're right,
I have seen the light.
Please walk back with me,
These wonders I would like to see."
He let go of his pride.
And the two walked side by side.
Seeing beauty in every weed,
He said, "This is what I need.
It really is easier to talk,
To a new friend while you walk."
one of my favorites the tortoise and the hare nice finish. end to winning
Interesting poem with great lessons. I love the story and style. God bless you
A great retelling of an old time fable, it really is about the journey, winning the race is great but its also about what you learn about the race as you go along, its to short a season not to enjoy these sights and those that shape us. Thank you
oh, i see now. the T looked him in the eye. so, the H WAS a male! :)
GREAT COMMENTS. now, i'll read the poem. is it so good? ! for some reason i laughed at the end of the first 4 lines; a good omen, my friend. At the end of the superb first stanza, i find myself trying to recall how the T won the first race. the H fell asleep, thinking he (she?) had time to kill? another laugh after Now see who is fast. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - i found myself say, softly, wooooow, after reading these beautiful lines: i don't think i've ever done THAT before. You may have beaten me by a mile, But did your journey make you smile? :) :) :) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (are you SURE i didn't write this one? ? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - a truly wonderful poem. did daughters and wife like it; they must have! the only 'problem' i can possibly find: as it was almost dark, did they have enough light (a 'torch'/flashlight/street lights) to see the weeds well, as the new friends walked? gotta go to MyPoemList, even if i'm forced to discard some less-worthy ones that are already there. bri :)
I'm glad it made you laugh Bri. Your poems have made me laugh a lot with your awesome sense of humour so it's nice to return the favour.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
What a lovely retelling of the old hare and tortoise tale with a pleasant twist at the end. The story runs like a freeflowing stream without any shoals or rocks on its course. It is interesting from start to finish and the moral it holds is an eye opener to all those who miss so much of beauty and joy in their rat race for recognition and fame.