In a lively forest of Sundarvan, there was a wise old tortoise named Tara and a young, energetic hare named Hanu. Hanu was known for his speed and often boasted about it to everyone he met. He would dart around the forest, leaving a trail of dust and laughing at the slower animals.
One sunny morning, Hanu was showing off his speed to a group of animals gathered by the river. “No one can beat me in a race,” he declared, hopping up and down. “I am the fastest animal in the forest!”
Tara the tortoise, who had overheard Hanu’s bragging, decided it was time to teach the hare a lesson in humility. With a gentle smile, Tara approached Hanu and said, “Why don’t we have a race? I bet I can beat you.”
Hanu burst into laughter. “You? A tortoise? You must be joking! I could win this race with my eyes closed!”
Determined to prove her point, Tara accepted Hanu’s challenge. The animals gathered to watch the race, curious to see the outcome. As the race began, Hanu dashed off at lightning speed, leaving Tara far behind. He was so confident that he decided to take a nap midway through the race.
Tara, however, kept a steady and slow pace, never stopping. She passed by the sleeping hare, making sure not to make any noise. As she continued on her way, Hanu remained fast asleep, dreaming of his victory.
When Hanu finally woke up, he realized that Tara was near the finish line. He sprinted as fast as he could, but it was too late. Tara had already crossed the finish line, winning the race.
The animals cheered for Tara, and Hanu, though initially disappointed, learned a valuable lesson. He went up to Tara and said, “You were right. Speed alone doesn’t make one the best. Persistence and hard work are what truly matter.”
Tara smiled and replied, “That’s right, Hanu. It’s not always about how fast you can go, but how consistently you move forward.”
From that day on, Hanu became more humble and focused on improving his skills with dedication. He respected Tara’s wisdom and continued to be a friend to all the animals in the forest.
Moral
Pride and arrogance can blind us to our own downfall. Wisdom and cleverness are often the keys to overcoming even the most daunting challenges.
