The Tortoise, Sam and the Hill
A proud runner mocks a slow friend and learns that steady effort beats a quick start.
Sam the squirrel was the fastest in the forest and loved to boast. One day, Sam laughed at Holly the hedgehog. βYou are so slow!β Sam said. Holly said calmly, βSlow, but I always get there.β
βLetβs race to the top of the hill,β said Holly. βThe winner gets a carrot cake.β Sam laughed so hard. βYouβll never beat me!β But Holly only smiled.
The race began. Sam zoomed off, leaving Holly behind. Halfway up, Sam looked back. Holly was just a dot. βI have plenty of time,β Sam thought, and lay down for a nap.
Holly didnβt stop. Step by step, one foot after another, Holly plodded up the hill. Past the sleeping Sam. Past the rock. Past the old pine tree. Never stopping.
When Sam woke up, Holly was already at the top, holding a carrot cake. Sam dashed up, but too late. βYou won,β said Sam, embarrassed. βSlow and steady,β smiled Holly. And Sam never boasted again.
The little lesson
Slow and steady wins the race.
Letβs talk about it
- Who do you think would win?
- Why did Sam stop?
Finish stories to collect Sam as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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