Max the mouse was the fastest in the forest and loved to boast. One day, Max laughed at Freya the turtle. ‘You are so slow!’ Max said. Freya said calmly, ‘Slow, but I always get there.’
‘Let’s race to the top of the hill,’ said Freya. ‘The winner gets a golden acorn.’ Max laughed so hard. ‘You’ll never beat me!’ But Freya only smiled.
The race began. Max zoomed off, leaving Freya behind. Halfway up, Max looked back. Freya was just a dot. ‘I have plenty of time,’ Max thought, and lay down for a nap.
Freya didn’t stop. Step by step, one foot after another, Freya plodded up the hill. Past the sleeping Max. Past the rock. Past the old pine tree. Never stopping.
When Max woke up, Freya was already at the top, holding a golden acorn. Max dashed up, but too late. ‘You won,’ said Max, embarrassed. ‘Slow and steady,’ smiled Freya. And Max never boasted again.
The little lesson
Slow and steady wins the race.
Let’s talk about it
- Who do you think would win?
- Why did Max stop?
Finish stories to collect Max as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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