$JES 203 First Step of Jainism Level 2 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 80

Ego/HUMILITY
Hare and the Tortoise
Once upon a time there was a tortoise and a hare. The tortoise was friendly and quiet and did everything slowly, while the hare was flashy and rude and did everything quickly. The hare was very proud of the fact that he was quick and his ego came in the way of his friendship with the other animals. He liked to make fun of everyone and he especially liked to tease the tortoise about being so slow! When the tortoise ate breakfast the hare said, “By the time you finish your last bite it will be dinner time! Ha, Ha, Ha!” When he saw the tortoise working in his garden he laughed, “By the time you pick those flowers it will be winter!”
Therefore, the other animals encouraged the tortoise to have the race. "I can never beat the hare," said the tortoise. "Yes! You can. We believe in you," said all of tortoise's friends. “Then you will race me?" asked the hare. The tortoise folded his head in his shell and said slowly "I don't want to." “You have got to. You have put up with the hare's teasing long enough. You can win," encouraged his friends. The tortoise did not want to disappoint his friends so he finally agreed to the race. The tortoise had only three weeks to get in shape before the race. The rooster helped him out at the gym everyday helping him to lift weights and get strong. The raccoon cooked him nutritious meals so he could be healthy. “Delicious," said the tortoise about the raccoon's cooking. The frog went jogging with the tortoise every morning to help the tortoise get into shape. By the day of the race the tortoise was ready, healthy and strong with a well-exercised body.
One afternoon the hare followed the tortoise to the store and teased him on the way, “By the time you get there the store will be closed!” “You are so slow I can beat you in a race hoping backwards on one paw.” The other animals were upset at the hare for teasing and making fun of the tortoise.
F
alg & Patinal Use Only