The Tortoise and the Hare Bedtime Story (Gentle + Personalized)

"Race you to the big oak!" said the hare, zipping in a circle. "I'll be there before you take ten steps." "Then I'll take my steps anyway," said the tortoise. "One… two…" The hare zoomed off in a cloud of dust — and was so far ahead that he flopped into the clover for a quick nap. The clover was soft. The sun was warm. His ears drooped like sleepy flags. The tortoise walked on. Three… four… past the daisies. Five… six… under the humming bees. Seven… eight… each step round and slow, like a small drum played gently. Nine… ten… The tortoise touched the big oak just as the sun touched the hills. The hare woke in the dusk, blinking. "You won!" "We both got here," said the tortoise kindly. "You napped. I walked. The oak waited for us both." So they leaned against the wide warm trunk together, and the hare — who suddenly remembered how good his nap had felt — yawned an enormous yawn. Slow and steady, the whole meadow went to sleep.