Hukumusume fairy tale collection > Foreign language (English) > Aesop’s Fables

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The Hare and the Tortoise
(Aesop’s Fables)

Translation　ちいさな翻訳屋さん

Make Origami ( ORIGAMI CLUB) Hare　　　Tortoise

Japanese　←→　Japanese ＆ English　←→　English

　A hare was making fun of the tortoise for being so slow.

“I will win a race even if you can ran faster than me.”

　The tortoise said to the hare.

　Then the hare answered.

“I know you are all bark and no bite. Why don’t we have a race? We will find out who is faster soon.”

“Who will decide the course and who will reward the winner?”

　The tortoise asked.

“The fox is fair and smart. Let’s ask him to act as a judge.”

　The hare answered.

　So the fox started the runners off.

　The hare was soon far out from the tortoise.

　But the tortoise kept going steadily without giving up to defeat the hare.

　The hare was secured and careless about the race. When he found a big tree in the middle of the course, he lay down under the tree to have a break.


　Meanwhile, the hare woke up.

“Oh, I fell asleep for a while. …Well, I know the tortoise should still be behind. ”

　After the hare gave a big yawn and stretched himself, he started to run to the goal again.

“OK, it is almost the goal … Oh, no! No kidding! ”

　The hare believed he won the race, but the tortoise has already reached the goal.



　Even though one is talented, lukewarm attitude ruins a man.

　On the other hand, even though one is not talented, seriousness and patience may defeat the talented.

The end

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