The
Tortoise, the Hare, and the Three-legged Race
By
Monterey Holland
You’ve probably heard the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, of
how Tortoise won the race by going "slow and steady" all the
way. But I’ll bet you haven’t heard what happened next.
It all started a day after that famous race. Tortoise was still celebrating.
He was now wearing his racing uniform round-the-clock - even when he
went to sleep! He was showing off his racing skills to all he met, whether
or not they wanted to watch.
But after awhile, Tortoise’s friends at school, including Hare, got
very tired of Tortoise’s bragging and agreed that something just had
to be done. "I’ll talk to him," said Hare. "He may just
listen to reason."
So Hare stepped out into the school hallway, lined with big red lockers
on each side. It was there that Hare spied Tortoise showing off his
newly-prized collection of sweatbands in a large blue velvet case to
a gathering audience.
Hare worked his way through the crowd and up to Tortoise. "Tortoise
we have got to talk," Hare said. "It’s very important."
"Oh Hare, the loser! Let’s get ready to ‘repeat the feat’.
I’ve entered the sprint in the Woodland Olympics. Get ready to lose
again!" he said and returned smugly to his collection.
Hare threw up his paws. "Aaahhh! He just doesn’t understand!"
Racoon had been looking at the Olympic Schedule and drew back. "Nobody
from our school has entered the Three-Legged Race and it’s in two days!
How will we find two racers to enter?"
"I have an idea," said Fox. "Hare, why don’t you and
Tortoise enter it together! That way you’ll have to work together.
But don’t tell Tortoise until the big day. Otherwise, he’ll never agree."
When the day of the Three-Legged Race arrived, Hare was ready. He had
practiced running three-legged races with his family and had gotten
quite good. Tortoise still didn’t know he had been signed up.
"Come on Tortoise!" called Hare. "It’s time for the
Three-Legged Race and you’re in it!" Before Tortoise could say
anything, he and Hare were fastened together at the ankles with a big
bow. Tortoise frowned down at the race track, and then up at all the
cheering fans in the stands. "I can’t race with you!"
he scowled.
But Hare had already taken two steps... CLUNK!!! They had fallen. "You
lost the last race... THUD!!!" They fell again. After a
few more tries, Hare made his move.
"Listen Tortoise..." THUD!! He kept trying to convince Tortoise
from where they lay in a tangled heap on the ground. "There are
two blue ribbons over at that finish line waiting for us. To get to
them we have to work together."
Tortoise gazed across the race track to the finish line. "Well....
OK," he finally agreed.
They got up together. The crowd cheered!!! "Go Tortoise and Hare!"
Tortoise took a step... then Hare did... then Tortoise and Hare together...
step... step... together... they had it! Soon, they began passing the
other racers, faster and faster... until they hit the FINISH LINE!!!
The crowd roared as Tortoise and Hare were awarded shiny blue first
place ribbons.
"Let’s go to the pizza shop!" cried Tortoise to his pal.
The two gathered their friends and off they went to celebrate together.
The End
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Monterey is now 11 years old and in the 5th grade. She was
a 24-weeker, weighed 1 lb. 9 oz. at birth.
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