THE TORTOISE AND HARE REVISITED

The tortoise was decidedly silent after winning the race against the hare.  The hare, on the other hand, wasted no time in beginning to clamor against the tortoise’s devious method of gaining momentum by luring his opponent into dawdling so as to make the race not seem quite so lopsided.  “Of course I could have won,” the hare declared, “if I hadn’t been trying to be so considerate of the tortoise’s feelings.”  The other animals in the woods were getting so annoyed with the hare’s arrogant self-justification that they finally convened a conference and agreed to present a plan by which the hare might vindicate his claims.  When they approached the hare and the tortoise, the hare jumped at the chance, and the tortoise grudgingly acquiesced.  Markers for an obstacle course were laid out, showing a route full of hills and curves, tree trunks and stream beds, and instructions were given to both contestants that they must not deviate from the designated path.  A signal was given, and the hare leaped into action, leaving the tortoise in at least a figurative cloud of dust.  There would be no dawdling this time!  Bounding over hills and hopping rocks to get across streams, the hare faithfully followed the path up to the last marker, which pointed the way across a deep lake.  Aghast, the hare was furtively looking for a way around this wide expanse of water when out of the bushes stepped two wolves, one to the right and one to the left.  “Either you swim, or you’re dinner,” growled the wolves in unison.  The desperate hare dove in, and with legs flailing, disappeared beneath the surface.  Some time later the tortoise finally reached the lakeside and continued the course straight through the water.  On the other side it was welcomed by a cheering crowd of fellow forest dwellers.  “Thank you,” said the tortoise modestly, “but where is the hare?”  Emerging from the back of the crowd, one of the two wolves answered, “Let’s just say that he has learned to follow your admirable model of silence.”