Choose your race
A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
“Do you ever get anywhere?” he asked with a mocking laugh.
“Yes and I get there sooner than you think.” replied the Tortoise.
In his arrogance and to ridicule Tortoise, the Hare challenged Tortoise for a race. Tortoise having heard of the folklore where Hare sleeps and Tortoise wins, happily accepts the challenge.
Just to be careful, the Tortoise asks for 2 weeks of time to train and practice. Tortoise sincerely practices everyday and was confident that he will repeat the history.
On the day of the race crowds of animals came to watch. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight. He made sure to cross the finish line before stopping. And to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the finish line to take a nap.
After some time Tortoise also reached the finish line and found the Hare has already won the race. The Fox informed Tortoise that the Hare has been taking the nap from quite some time. Tortoise felt really ashamed that he has lost by a huge margin and felt embarrassed for accepting the race.
The Tortoise learnt the lesson that if someone is arrogant and you do not like them, it is not guaranteed that they will make a mistake or you can beat them at their strength.
World is random and life is not fair. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Accept your weakness. Know your strength and choose your race.
Ref: Original version (http://read.gov/aesop/025.html)