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HARE AND THE TORTOISE
that he took a short nap on the soft green grass under a tree. He slept dreaming about victory. Suddenly he heard the crowd cheering, "Go Tortoise, go! You can do it. You are almost there!"
On the other hand the hare made fun of the tortoise, who was working hard at achieving his best. He was so proud of his body and his ability that he was blind to everything else. He could not see the qualities of the tortoise and, unfortunately, did not learn anything by looking at him and his perseverance. On the day of the race animals from all over the county came to watch the tortoise and the hare. The rooster read out the rules and described the course. “Attention, everyone! The race will begin when I ring this gong. The 5-mile race is marked with red flags. The one to reach the finish line first wins the race. On your mark! Get set!” And boom the gong was heard by all the animals, "GO!”
FINESH LINE
The hare bolted out of sight before the tortoise took his first step. The crowd cheered while the tortoise inched forward. The hare was so far ahead that he decided to stop at the bear's house for something cool to drink. The hare sat there sipping cool lemonade when the bear saw something moving outside his window. “Hare, there goes the tortoise!” “What!” The hare bolted out of the house and passed the tortoise for the second time. He then decided to stop at Little Mouse's house for a snack. As the hare munched on crackers and cheese, mouse exclaimed, “Is that the tortoise I see out of the window?” “I am not worried about that slow coach. I have passed him twice already!” said the hare. He finished his snack and passed the tortoise for the third time.
The tortoise was just a couple of steps from the finish line! The hare got up and dashed for the finish line yelling at the tortoise that he would win the race. However, it was too late. The tortoise crossed the Finish Line just as the hare reached the Finish Line! The tortoise had won the race. The hare could not believe that 'slow coach' Tortoise had won! The hare couldn't believe it that He had lost the race with the tortoise. The tortoise smiled as his friends carried him on their shoulders. Both had learnt an important lesson: Hard work and Perseverance bring rewards, while ego and pride a source of downfall.
The hare saw a pond and decided to take rest since the snack and lemonade had made him sleepy. He was so sure of winning
81
THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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