It was a sunny morning in the forest. In a clearing, a handsome Hare ZOOMED         

 back and forth, chasing the shadows.

The Hare stopped to groom himself and admire his muscular legs. ''I will bet I'm the  fastest animal in the forest, ''he booased with a LAUGH.        

''I would sure like to challenge somebody to race!''

Nearby on a sunny stump, a Tortoise was quietly reading. He poked his head behind his book. ''I will race you'' said the Tortoise. ''You! You want to race me?" the Hare LAUGHED. 

"Yes! said the Tortoise as he PLODDED                  

 over to the Hare. "I just need some time to practice." Take all the time you need," the Hare LAUGHED.                 "I am ready when you are."

The tortoise put on his jogging suit and started to work out. He lifted weights and Plodded               

from one tree to another. 

The Hare sat back and watched the Tortoise sweat. ''Give up, Tortoise. You are never going to win!" the Hare LAUGHED. 

The Tortoise practiced slowly and steadily, and soon he felt ready to challenge the Hare. All the animals in the forest gathered to see the big race. A fox acted as the official starter. He lined up the Tortoise and the Hare on the starting line and wawed a green flage. They were off!

The Hare kicked his heels and ZOOMED       

past the Tortoise. The sudden burst of speed knocked the Tortoise off balance and sent him SPINNING. 

The Hare just 

LAUGHED                 as the Tortoise

kept SPINNING.                   "As soon as I get a good lead, I am going to take a nap," the Hare thought. And with that, he ZOOMED

around the bend.

Meanwhile, back at the starting line, the Tortoise had just gotten back on his feet. He pointed his head toward the finish line and slowly began to PLODDED  down the course. He kept telling 

himself he could win.

The Tortoise PLOODDED                  slowly and steadily and soon he came upon the sleeping Hare. The Tortoise smiled as he passed the Hare and continued down the path. 

After a litte while, the Hare woke up with a start. He looked toward the starting line, but the Tortoise was nowhere in sight. The confused Hare turned around and looked ahead. There was the Tortoise at the top of the next hill.

The Hare jumped to his feetand ZOOMED     toward the hill. Once again, the Hare sent the Tortoise SPINNING onhis shell. "You realy think you can beat me?" the Hare called out with a LAUGH. And with that, he disappeared over the hill.

The Tortoise ignored the Hare and did not give up. Once again, he got to his feet and PLODDED       along. ''I know I can win'', thought the Tortoise. "I know I can win."