Once upon a time in a forest so lush, A tortoise and hare were in quite a rush. They argued and bickered, who was the best? To settle their quarrel, they planned a great test.

“I’m swift as the wind,” said the hare with a grin, “You’re slower than slow, you’ll never win!” The tortoise just smiled and stayed pretty cool, “We’ll see about that, you speedy ol’ fool.”

The animals gathered from both far and wide, To witness this race with excitement and pride. The fox was the judge; he held up his paw, “Ready, set, go!” and they ran with no flaw.

The hare dashed ahead with a big, mighty bound, While the tortoise took steps, just plodding around. “I’ll nap in the shade,” thought the hare with a yawn, “This slowpoke can’t beat me if I wake before dawn.”

Zzz… hummed the hare as he snoozed in the shade, But the tortoise kept moving, undaunted, unafraid. Inch by inch, step by step, he made his way, Past the daffodils dancing, and the blue jays at play.

With a stir and a stretch, the hare woke at last, “Oh no!” he exclaimed, “I’ve slept too fast!” He hopped up in panic, dashed twice as fast, But the tortoise was near the finish line, steadfast.

Across the finish line with a smile on his face, The tortoise had won the whimsical race! The animals cheered, they clapped and they roared, The slow-moving tortoise was finally adored.

“Slow and steady wins the race,” he said with a bow, “Never give up, just keep going somehow.” The hare learned a lesson that wonderful day, That sometimes, it’s best to take the slow way.

And from that day on in the forest of green, The tortoise and hare as friends were seen. They balanced each other, they knew what to do, The fast and the slow, a friendship so true.

In life’s busy race, just remember to say, ‘It’s okay to go slow, you’ll get there one day.’ Be like the tortoise, steady and true, And you'll find in the end, you’ll come through.