It’s been a while since I’ve thought about the tortoise & the hare. In the version that I grew up with, the rabbit was bullying the tortoise for being so slow & challenged the tortoise to a race. I don’t remember the stakes at the end of the race. The tortoise accepts the challenge & the race begins. The rabbit took off full speed thinking that there was NO way the tortoise could possibly keep up. About half way through the race the rabbit tires & lays down for a nap. The tortoise keeps on going even after seeing the rabbit napping. He steadily stays focused on his goal of the finish line. When the rabbit awakens, he realizes that the tortoise had passed him sleeping & crossed the finish line to win the race.
My Mother used the fable to remind me & my brother to NEVER give up. Just because we think we can’t win is NO reason to stop!!! Coaches used it to remind their players that you should pace yourself because going full blast straight out of the gate will only slow you down when you need it most!!! I remember hearing for most of my childhood that slow & steady wins the race.
I do remember an old Bugs Bunny cartoon where there were 10 tortoises were tricking Bugs because he had placed a $10 bet on his own abilities. No matter how fast he ran, there was a tortoise in front of him. He loses & pays the original tortoise the $10. The original tortoise just wanted to teach Bugs a lesson & he gave each participating tortoise their split of $1 each. NOBODY died & was only tricked into thinking they lost!!!