Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 15: The Hare and the Tortoise

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


Said the Tortoise one day to the Hare:

"I'll run you a race if you dare.

I'll bet you cannot

Arrive at that spot

As quickly as I can get there."



Quoth the Hare: "You are surely insane.

Pray, what has affected your brain?

You seem pretty sick.

Call a doctor in-quick,

And let him prescribe for your pain."



"Never mind," said the Tortoise. "Let's run!

Will you bet me?" "Why, certainly." "Done!"

While the slow Tortoise creeps

Mr. Hare makes four leaps,

And then loafs around in the sun.



It seemed such a one-sided race,

To win was almost a disgrace.

So he frolicked about

Then at last he set out-

As the Tortoise was as nearing the place.



Too late! Though he sped like a dart,

The Tortoise was first. She was smart:

"You can surely run fast,"

She remarked. "Yet you're last.

It is better to get a good start."

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    Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 15: The Hare and the Tortoise

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

A hare and a tortoise race. Even though the hare is far faster, he suffers from overconfidence, doesn't try his hardest, and the tortoise wins the race.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Pictures

  • Study the pictures and describe them in your own words.

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to the poem, narrate the poem events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 18 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, sculpt a tortoise out of Play-Doh.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 5

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Hare and the Tortoise.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

A slow tortoise wins a race with a much faster hare.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place outside.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

A hare and a tortoise.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

Slow and steady wins the race
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Hare and the Tortoise.'
  2. What happens in the poem? A slow tortoise wins a race with a much faster hare.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place outside.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? A hare and a tortoise.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? Slow and steady wins the race