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Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Story & Moral

The proverb 'Slow and Steady wins the race' is one of the most famous idioms in the English language. It originates from the classic Aesop's Fable about 'The Hare and the Tortoise'. Let's read the story and its meaning.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the story of slow and steady wins the race?

Answer

The story is about a fast but arrogant Hare who challenges a slow Tortoise to a race. The Hare runs fast but takes a nap out of overconfidence. The slow Tortoise keeps walking steadily without stopping and eventually wins the race.

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Key Facts

Proverb: Slow and steady wins the race.

Origin: Aesop's Fable (The Hare and the Tortoise).

Meaning: Consistency and hard work are more important than raw talent and arrogance.

The Hare and the Tortoise (Story)

Once upon a time, there was a Hare (a fast rabbit) who was very proud of his speed. He used to laugh at the Tortoise for walking so slowly. Tired of the insults, the Tortoise challenged the Hare to a race. The Hare laughed and accepted the challenge.

The race began. The Hare ran extremely fast and quickly left the Tortoise far behind. Seeing that he was so far ahead, the Hare decided to take a short nap under a tree. He thought, 'Even if the Tortoise passes me, I can easily wake up and outrun him.'

However, the Hare slept for too long. Meanwhile, the Tortoise did not stop. He kept walking slowly but continuously (steadily) without taking a break. When the Hare finally woke up, he ran as fast as he could towards the finish line, but it was too late. The Tortoise had already crossed it and won the race.

What is the Moral of the Story?

The moral of this story is the famous proverb: Slow and steady wins the race.

  • Meaning: It means that if you work consistently and continuously towards your goal, even if you are slow, you will eventually succeed.
  • On the other hand, people who are very talented or fast, but lazy, arrogant, and inconsistent (like the Hare), will ultimately fail.

Questions and Answers

What is the story of slow and steady wins the race?+

The story is about a fast but arrogant Hare who challenges a slow Tortoise to a race. The Hare runs fast but takes a nap out of overconfidence. The slow Tortoise keeps walking steadily without stopping and eventually wins the race.

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