Each day in Fanning Forest, the animals gathered near a great oak tree to chat. Each day, Hare boasted about his speed.
One day, Tortoise, who was two hours late for the gathering, said, "Hare, you brag about speed. But slow and steady is the way of some of us who have lived a very long time. Join me in a race, and I'll show you." Laughing, Hare agreed.