The Finish Line

The tortoise reached the old oak tree just moments before the hare came bounding up, panting and out of breath.

The meadow erupted in cheers. "The tortoise wins! The tortoise wins!"

The hare, humbled, walked over and bowed his head. "You were right to smile," he admitted. "Slow and steady really can win the race."

From that day on, the hare never boasted again — and the tortoise never needed to.