In a sunny meadow, a proud and speedy hare was known for boasting about how fast he could run. One day, as he was hopping along, he came across a slow-moving hedgehog, waddling through the grass. The hare couldn’t help but laugh. “How can you stand being so slow?” he teased. “I could run circles around you all day!”

The hedgehog, though small and slow, wasn’t bothered by the hare’s taunts. He had a clever idea and replied, “You think you’re fast, but I can beat you in a race!” The hare burst into laughter. “You? A race? Against me? You’ve got to be kidding!”

But the hedgehog wasn’t kidding. He accepted the challenge with a confident smile. “Meet me here tomorrow morning, and we’ll see who’s faster.”

The next day, the hare showed up, ready to race. All the animals gathered around to watch. The hare stretched his legs, still laughing at the idea of racing the little hedgehog. But what the hare didn’t know was that the hedgehog had a clever plan. He secretly asked his wife, who looked exactly like him, to wait at the finish line.

As soon as the race began, the hare zoomed off, leaving the hedgehog far behind. “This is going to be so easy,” the hare thought. He was so far ahead that he decided to take a nap under a shady tree.

Meanwhile, the hedgehog took his time, moving steadily toward the finish line. His wife was already waiting there, hidden among the crowd.

When the hare finally woke up, he stretched, yawned, and lazily sprinted toward the finish line, expecting to win easily. But to his shock, when he reached the end, there was the hedgehog—already waiting for him, looking as calm as ever!

The hare couldn’t believe his eyes. How could the slow hedgehog have beaten him? Little did he know that it wasn’t speed that won the race, but clever thinking.

Moral:

Cleverness is more important than speed.

Parenting Tip: Teach your child the importance of thinking ahead and being clever rather than just relying on quickness or strength. This story offers a great opportunity to discuss how being smart and strategic can often lead to success, even when others may seem more powerful or fast.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids:

This story is a great way to talk about strategy, clever thinking, and the value of humility. Here are some fun questions to engage your child:

• Why do you think the hare was so confident he would win the race?
• How did the hedgehog trick the hare into losing the race?
• Do you think it’s always better to be fast, or is there a time when being smart is more important?
• Have you ever been in a race or competition? How did you feel when you were racing?
• What would you do if someone teased you like the hare teased the hedgehog?
• How did the hedgehog show that he wasn’t just slow, but smart?
• What lesson do you think the hare learned from the race?
• If you were racing against someone who was faster than you, what clever tricks could you use to win?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Hares and Hedgehogs:

Here are some fun facts about hares and hedgehogs that kids will love to learn!

1. Hares are faster than rabbits! They can run up to 45 miles per hour to escape from predators, which is much faster than most humans can run.
2. Hedgehogs are small, but they have sharp spines that protect them from danger. When threatened, they roll into a ball to keep their soft belly safe!
3. Hares have powerful back legs that help them jump long distances. They can leap as far as 10 feet in one bound!
4. Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures, which means they are most active at night. They spend their nights searching for food like insects and worms.
5. A group of hares is called a “husk,” and they usually live alone or in pairs. Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows but rather in grassy fields or meadows.
6. Hedgehogs can run, but they are much slower than hares. Instead, they use their cleverness to stay safe from predators like foxes and owls.
7. The fastest animal on land is the cheetah, which can run up to 75 miles per hour in short bursts! That’s much faster than any hare or hedgehog.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!