1️⃣ To Parents
Today’s story retells the timeless Aesop’s fable of The Tortoise and the Hare with expanded dialogue and emotional insight suited for upper elementary readers.
This version reinforces the values of patience, humility, and perseverance, while guiding children in recognizing character growth and cause-effect structure.
Grammar and vocabulary focus:
- Past tense narration
- Character-driven adjectives
- Time-related transitions (first, then, suddenly, finally)
2️⃣ Today's Reading
The Tortoise and the Hare – A Race of Character
Long ago in a green forest, a hare was boasting loudly.
“I’m the fastest animal in the forest!” he laughed. “No one can ever beat me.”
A quiet voice replied, “I may not be fast, but I could still try.”
It was the tortoise. The hare blinked in surprise. “You? You want to race me?”
“Yes,” said the tortoise gently. “Let’s see what steady steps can do.”
The next morning, animals gathered to watch. The fox waved a leaf. “On your mark, get set… GO!”
The hare zoomed ahead. The tortoise took one slow step, then another.
Halfway through the race, the hare looked back and saw the tortoise far behind. “This is too easy,” he said. “I’ll nap under this tree.”
He yawned and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, the tortoise kept walking. Step by step, never stopping. Hours passed. Birds flew home. The sun began to set.
The hare woke up with a jolt. “The race!” he shouted and ran. But when he reached the finish line...
The tortoise was already there.
The forest went silent. Then everyone cheered.
The hare bowed his head. “I was wrong to laugh at you.”
The tortoise smiled. “Slow and steady wins the race.”
3️⃣ New Vocabularies
- boast /boʊst/ – 吹噓、自誇
The hare liked to boast about being fast. - steady /ˈstɛdi/ – 穩定的、不動搖的
The tortoise believed in steady steps. - yawn /jɔn/ – 打呵欠
The hare yawned before falling asleep. - jolt /dʒoʊlt/ – 猛然一驚
The hare woke up with a jolt. - humble /ˈhʌmbəl/ – 謙虛的
The hare became more humble after the race. - persevere /ˌpɝsəˈvɪr/ – 堅持不懈
The tortoise persevered without stopping.
4️⃣ Hi, Kids!
Have you ever seen someone work hard and succeed, even if they weren’t the best at first?
Try writing about a time when you kept going, step by step. “Even though I was slow, I didn’t give up, and…”
5️⃣ Questions
- Why did the hare think he would win?
A. He trained harder B. He knew the path C. He believed he was fastest D. He had a map - What made the hare fall behind?
A. He tripped B. He stopped to eat C. He took a nap D. He ran the wrong way - What did the tortoise do during the race?
A. He ran quickly B. He stopped to talk C. He walked steadily D. He gave up halfway - How did the hare feel at the end?
A. Proud B. Angry C. Embarrassed and humble D. Sleepy - What is the lesson of the story?
A. Fast animals always win B. Sleeping helps you race better C. Slow and steady wins the race D. Never trust a tortoise
6️⃣ 🌟 Good Job
Great reading! Just like the tortoise, when you keep going and believe in yourself, you can do amazing things—step by step!
