The Tortoise and the Hare in “Olde English” Style
Twas
a trulee marvelous dey whereupon did Hare settle his mind to visit his good
neybor
Tortoise. The two were beste of companions and spent
many an houre talking together. There
existed but one flawe between them
upon which, despite bothe theire efforts, neither seemed to be
able to cum to an agreement. This being that Hare was swifte of foote,
nimble and agile, and
Tortoise was rather more leisurely
than his companion. Indeed, whilst
Tortoise insisted
that, “Haste maketh waste,” Hare
rather thought that Tortoise was trying to hide something by his
deliberate manner.
And
so, as many a meeting began, Hare loped into the room, and, withe a flourishe,
seated himself by the hearthe. At this Tortoise could not but reveal some of
his displeasure,
“Wherefore dost thou hasten
such? Tis but daybreak. Surely nothing so urgent doth merit such
speed?”
To
this Hare replied in short, “My deare friende, must thou persist? Is it but annoyance
at clumsy work that thou dost pester
me so?”
“Once
again I shall say it, by measure and balance the race be won.”
“And
so have we arrived upon the pointe for which I didst venture here. I have in goode
confidence that just such an event
shall soone take place: a race, fore which the prize be the hande of
a maiden in marriage, and a most
faire one at that.”
To
this, Tortoise’s reply was so utterly unforeseen that Hare did nearly unseat
himselff.
“Indeed, a race thou saye? To be sure I shall take part. Tis nothing like a friendley competition
to enliven one’s spirits.”
Attempting to
compose himselfe Hare managed a replye, “Surely thou dost jest? Thou
canst trulee consider such a
feate?” Tortoise making no reply, Hare
lefte to spread the astonishing
worde.
Twas
not long ere all of the surrounding village knew of Tortoise’s astounding
pledge.
Hence it twas surprise to none that,
not only had all of the contestants withdrawn theire names, but
also had heaped the wagers high on a
straight out victory by Hare. A few good
natured condolences
were all that were left to
Tortoise. This did, by no means dampen
Tortoise’s enthusiasm, but
servd rather to set them freshley
aflame.
The
time for the race having arrived, Tortoise made his way to the mark, which had,
mercifully, been moved quite near to
his home. Applause resounded as Hare too
set his foot to the
line.
“On thy marks, get ready, away!”
Twas some time before the dust cleared upon which
Tortoise was seene to be in very
nearley the same place that he had been left.
“Off I be!” And
with that, Tortoise ambled slowly
away.
Hare,
having neared the finish line, might, with another leape have cleared it, had
not
his attention been focussed
elsewhere. Twas a lovely garden, settled
by a brook, encircled with the
most beautiful of flowers. And so, turning aside from the goal that he
might well have reached,
Hare settled himself among the
blossoms, and was soon off to sleep.
It
was with a leap of the heart that Tortoise came within sight of the finish line
and of
Hare, asleep beside it. He plodded softly by, and, with a final step,
his foot crossed.
To
the sound of uproar, Hare awoke with a start.
Whirling around the sight that met him
confirmed his greatest fears. Men squabbling with one-another, Women
laughing and sobbing all
at the same time, and, worst of all,
Tortoise standing before the Duke, holding the hand of a
beautiful maiden. As he rushed over, Tortoise turned to him
with a smile. “So have I told thee.
Slow and steady wins the race.” And with that, the two friends smiled and
turned to walk away,
slow and steady.
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