The Tortoise and the Hare Poem

A lively rhyming poem for kids about patience, focus, and finishing what you start.

Beyond the brook and Willow Lane,
Where daisies danced after gentle rain,
There lived a hare named Dash McFlare,
The quickest runner anywhere.

He raced the wind across the ground,
He leaped through leaves without a sound.
Then, standing tall upon a stone,
He bragged of being fastest known.

— “No paws, no wings, no feet can fly
As fast as I go flashing by!
Choose any path, both short or long—
I’ll reach the end before your song!”

The squirrels sighed. The sparrows frowned.
They’d heard his boasting all year round.
But from beneath a fern nearby,
A tortoise watched with thoughtful eyes.

Her name was Moss, and every day
She calmly travelled on her way.
She never hurried, never raced,
But every step was firmly placed.

Moss raised her head and softly said,
— “Fast feet may put you far ahead,
But speed alone may not decide
Who reaches first the other side.”

Dash blinked twice, then laughed aloud.
His voice rolled over the watching crowd.
— “You think that you could race with me?
I’ll finish before you pass that tree!”

— “Perhaps,” said Moss. “We soon shall know.
Tomorrow morning, we can go
From Sunflower Gate to Bluebell Bend,
And cross the silver line at the end.”

By sunrise, creatures large and small
Had gathered near the garden wall.
Fox held a flag above his head.
— “Stay on the marked path,” Fox clearly said.

— “The route runs past the chestnut tree,
Around the pond and through Fern Lea.
The first to cross the ribbon bright
Will be the winner of this flight.”

Dash bent low with a confident grin.
— “There is no question who will win.”
Moss faced forward, calm and still,
Her eyes fixed firmly on the hill.

The red flag dropped. The race began.
Dash shot ahead as fast as he could run.
He streaked beyond the cheering crowd,
While dust rose high in a golden cloud.

Moss took one step, then one step more,
Past the gate and along the shore.
She kept a rhythm, smooth and slow:
— “Choose your path, then onward go.”

Dash reached the pond in record time.
He felt so certain, proud, and fine.
A group of frogs sat on a log,
Watching dragonflies above the fog.

— “Would you like to see a jump?” asked Dash.
He cleared the reeds with a twist and a flash.
He landed neatly beside the stream,
As frogs applauded his daring leap.

— “Once more!” they cried. “That jump was great!”
Dash glanced behind. — “I have time to wait.”
He jumped again, then spun around,
And bowed with pride upon the ground.

Meanwhile, Moss passed the chestnut tree,
Then crossed the bridge toward Fern Lea.
She did not pause to watch or speak;
She kept her steady walking beat.

Dash soon returned to the winding track.
— “That tortoise must be miles back.”
He saw a cart with berry pies,
Their sugared scent a sweet surprise.

— “One small snack won’t cost the race.
I’m faster than anyone in this place.”
He ate one pie, then sampled two,
And drank a cup of berry dew.

The sunlight warmed a grassy mound.
Soft summer breezes drifted around.
Dash stretched his legs beneath a tree.
— “A tiny rest is safe for me.”

He closed his eyes and lowered his head.
Within a moment, he slept in the shade.
He dreamed of medals, cheers, and fame,
And every animal chanting his name.

Moss came walking around the bend.
The blue flag waited near the end.
She noticed Dash beneath the tree,
But kept her pace as steadily.

The hill grew steeper near the top.
Her legs felt tired, but she did not stop.
She breathed in slowly, then whispered low,
— “One more step. Keep on. Just go.”

Clouds crossed softly over the sun.
The waiting crowd wondered who had won.
Then Owl called out from Bluebell Bend,
— “I see a racer near the end!”

A falling acorn struck Dash’s ear.
He jumped awake and stared in fear.
The shadows stretched across the lane.
— “I fell asleep! I’ve lost the race!”

He sprang upright and raced ahead,
Past flowers of yellow, blue, and red.
His paws struck quickly against the track
As wind swept both of his long ears back.

Moss saw the ribbon ten steps away.
She heard Dash racing down the way.
The crowd grew silent. No creature stirred.
Only Dash’s pounding feet could be heard.

Nine slow steps, then eight, then seven.
Dash flew down the hill like a streak from heaven.
Six calm steps, then five, then four.
He raced more quickly than ever before.

Three firm steps. The ribbon drew near.
Dash’s rushing footsteps filled Moss’s ears.
Two more steps, then one final stride—
And Moss crossed first on the other side.

The meadow burst into joyful cheers.
The sound rang brightly through Dash’s ears.
He reached the line one blink too late,
Then stopped beside the garden gate.

He lowered his eyes and caught his breath.
— “I thought my speed would do the rest.
I wasted time because I believed
That victory was already guaranteed.”

Moss gave the hare a friendly smile.
— “You ran much faster every mile,
But winning takes more than a speedy start.
It needs clear focus and a steady heart.”

Dash nodded slowly. — “You were right.
You kept your goal within your sight.
I laughed at you before the race,
But you earned first place at your own pace.”

From that day on, Dash still ran fast,
But left his thoughtless boasts in the past.
He learned that talent shines its best
When patience guides it through each test.

And Moss still travelled, calm and true,
Finishing everything she chose to do.
For those who steadily follow their way
Can pass the quickest feet that stray.

So when a task seems hard or long,
Keep moving forward, brave and strong.
A patient step, however small,
May be the one that wins it all.

The End