The Tortoise, Toby and the Hill
A proud runner mocks a slow friend and learns that steady effort beats a quick start.
Toby the fox was the fastest in the forest and loved to boast. One day, Toby laughed at Kit the squirrel. βYou are so slow!β Toby said. Kit said calmly, βSlow, but I always get there.β
βLetβs race to the top of the hill,β said Kit. βThe winner gets a golden acorn.β Toby laughed so hard. βYouβll never beat me!β But Kit only smiled.
The race began. Toby zoomed off, leaving Kit behind. Halfway up, Toby looked back. Kit was just a dot. βI have plenty of time,β Toby thought, and lay down for a nap.
Kit didnβt stop. Step by step, one foot after another, Kit plodded up the hill. Past the sleeping Toby. Past the rock. Past the old pine tree. Never stopping.
When Toby woke up, Kit was already at the top, holding a golden acorn. Toby dashed up, but too late. βYou won,β said Toby, embarrassed. βSlow and steady,β smiled Kit. And Toby never boasted again.
The little lesson
Slow and steady wins the race.
Letβs talk about it
- Who do you think would win?
- Why did Toby stop?
Finish stories to collect Toby as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Fables stories
Poppy and the Golden Axe
Poppy drops a tool in the river and is offered something much finer. Will she tell the truth?
The Clever Omar
Omar is thirsty, but the water is too low in the jug. A clever idea saves the day!
The Clever Amy
Amy is thirsty, but the water is too low in the jug. A clever idea saves the day!
You might also like
Lena Pitches a Tent
Lena sleeps in a tent for the first time and hears all the night sounds of the woods.
Help, Zaraβs Hair Wonβt Behave!
Zaraβs hair will not lie flat. Nothing works! What will happen at school photo day?
Finn and the Hiccups
Finn has a terrible case of the hiccups. Every hic makes something go wrong!