The Hare and the Tortoise

"You believethat,do you?" sneered the Hare."Well then,let's race!Tomorrow morning,here at the edge of the forest.We will race from the old oak tree all the way to the river bridge.The Fox can be the judge."

"你信这个，是吧？"兔子讥笑道，"那好，咱们就比赛！明天一早，就在森林边上这儿。我们从老橡树出发，一直跑到河边那座桥。狐狸来当裁判。"

"Very well," said the Tortoise."I will see you tomorrow morning."

"很好，"乌龟说，"明天一早见。"

The news spread through the forest like wildfire.The birds chirped it from the treetops.The squirrels chattered it from the branches.The field mice whispered it through the tall grass.By sunset,every creature in the forest knew about the great race."The Tortoise is going to race the Hare!" they all said."Can you believe it?What is she thinking?"

消息像野火一样传遍了整个森林。鸟儿在树梢啾啾地传着，松鼠在枝头叽叽喳喳地议论，田鼠在高高的草丛里窃窃私语。不到太阳下山，森林里每个生灵都知道了这场大赛。"乌龟要跟兔子赛跑了！"他们全都在说，"你敢信吗？她在想什么呢？"

The next morning,the sun rose brightand clear.The sky was a perfect blue,and a cool breeze rustled through the leaves.A long line of animals had gathered along the race course.There were rabbitsand squirrels,deerand foxes,badgersand hedgehogs,and even a family of field mice sitting on an old log.They were all buzzing with excitement.

第二天一早，太阳又明又亮地升了起来。天空是一片完美的蓝，凉凉的微风从树叶间沙沙吹过。比赛路线两旁聚集了一长溜动物。有兔子也有松鼠，有鹿也有狐狸，有獾也有刺猬，甚至还有一家子田鼠坐在一根老圆木上。大家都兴奋得嗡嗡地议论着。

The Hare arrived early,bouncing on his toes,full of energy.He had even tied a red ribbon around his head for the occasion.He did stretchesand jumpsand little practice sprints to warm up.The crowd cheeredwhen they saw him."Look at him go!" they shouted."He's so fast!The Tortoise doesn't stand a chance!"

兔子早早地就到了，踮着脚尖蹦蹦跳跳，浑身是劲。他甚至还为这场比赛在头上扎了一条红丝带。他又是拉筋又是跳跃，还做了几个短距离冲刺来热身。观众们一看见他就欢呼起来。"瞧瞧他！"他们喊着，"他好快啊！乌龟根本没有机会！"

Then the Tortoise arrived.She walked slowlyand steadily,exactly as she always did.She did not stretch.She did not jump.She did not do practice sprints.She simply walked to the starting lineand stood there,waiting calmly.A few animals clapped politely,but most of them just shook their heads.She looked so smalland slow next to the energetic Hare.

接着乌龟到了。她走得又慢又稳，跟平时一模一样。她没有拉筋，没有跳跃，没有做任何练习冲刺。她只是走到起跑线上，站在那里，静静地等着。有几只动物礼貌地拍了拍掌，但大多数只是摇了摇头。站在充满活力的兔子身边，她显得又小又迟钝。

The Fox stepped forward as the judge.He raised a little red flag made from a maple leaf."The race," he announced in his most official voice,"will start at the old oak treeand finish at the river bridge.The first one to cross the finish line wins.Are both racers ready?"

狐狸作为裁判走上前来。他举起一面用枫叶做的小红旗。"这场比赛，"他用最正式的声音宣布道，"从老橡树开始，到河边那座桥结束。第一个冲过终点线的获胜。两位选手都准备好了吗？"

"Ready!" said the Hare,grinning from ear to ear."I was born ready!"

"准备好了！"兔子咧着大嘴笑得合不拢嘴，"我生下来就准备好了！"

"Ready," said the Tortoise quietly.

"准备好了。"乌龟轻声说。

"On your marks... get set... GO!" cried the Fox,and he dropped the flag.

"各就各位……预备……开始！"狐狸喊着，挥下了旗子。