Classic Aesop fable in new simplified version for young language learners. Linked to learning activities here: http://englishforyounglearners.org/stories/haretortoise/part1.html For more materials for very young learners go here: http://englishforyounglearners.org/

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The Hare & the Tortoise KIERAN
MCGOVERN
The quick hare races the slow tortoise. Who is going to win?
A hare and a 'Oh, that's very funny!' he said. minutes,’ he thought. ‘The
tortoise once 'Where do you want to race?' tortoise will never catch me.‘
lived in the same ‘Across the wood,’ said the
Sleep
wood. The tortoise. ‘From one end to the
The hare sat down beside the
tortoise was old other.’
path. He closed his eyes. Soon
and quiet. When the sun was
Slower he was asleep.
high he liked to sleep.
All the animals came to watch When the hare woke up, the
The hare was very noisy. All
the race. Some went to the start. sun was low in the sky.
he wanted to do was race the
Some
other animals.
waited at
'I am the fastest animal in this
the finish
wood,' he said. 'Who wants to
at the other
race me?'
end of the wood. They all !
The fox raced the hare - and A squirrel came by.
wanted the tortoise to win. ‘But
lost. The squirrel raced the hare.
'Where is that silly old
he’s going to lose!’ said the
He lost, too. tortoise?' asked the hare.
squirrel to the badger. ‘Tortoises
‘I’m greatest!’ the hare
'He is finishing the race,
are very slow.’
shouted. ‘I’m the best!’ now,' said the squirrel.
‘But they are also very
‘WHAT!’ cried the hare.
Fastest? clever,’ said the Badger.
The tortoise was sleeping under The Race Finish line
a tree. ‘Hello, Slowcoach!’ said The hare ran across the wood.
The race started. The hare
the hare. ‘I’m the fastest animal ‘Wait for me!’ he cried.
quickly raced into the lead. He
in the wood.’ But the tortoise was already
looked back and laughed. The
The old tortoise opened a at the finishing line. He crossed
tortoise was still near the start.
sleepy eye. 'Do you want to just in front of the hare.
'What a silly tortoise!'
race me?' he said. All the other animals
thought the hare. ‘He can never
The hare laughed loudly. cheered.
beat me!’
'You silly old fool! You’re the
'You’re not the fastest
It was a very hot day. The
slowest animal in the wood.' animal, Mr Hare,' said the
hare stopped. He felt very tired.
loremyou want to race me?'
'Do ipsum dolor met set tortoise. ‘But you are the laziest.’
He came to a nice shady
quam nunc parum
repeated the tortoise.
tree. ‘I’ll rest here for a few
2009
The hare laughed loudly.
Tears ran down his white cheeks.
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