The Tortoise and the Hare
A free B1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
A boastful hare challenges a slow tortoise to a race — and learns a lesson about patience.
A Hare was making fun of a Tortoise one day for being so slow.
Seekor Kelinci mengejek seekor Kura-kura suatu hari karena ia begitu lambat.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Apakah kau pernah sampai ke mana pun?" tanyanya sambil tertawa mengejek.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I will run you a race and prove it."
"Ya," jawab Kura-kura, "dan aku sampai di sana lebih cepat dari yang kau kira. Aku akan berlomba lari denganmu dan membuktikannya."
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had been asked to be the judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
Kelinci merasa sangat geli dengan gagasan berlomba lari melawan Kura-kura, tetapi demi kesenangan semata ia pun setuju. Maka Rubah, yang diminta menjadi wasit, menandai jarak lomba dan memberi aba-aba mulai kepada kedua pelari.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, 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 course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
Kelinci segera menghilang jauh dari pandangan, dan untuk membuat Kura-kura benar-benar merasakan betapa konyolnya ia mencoba berlomba dengan seekor Kelinci, ia berbaring di pinggir jalur lomba untuk tidur siang sampai Kura-kura menyusulnya.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal.
Sementara itu Kura-kura terus melangkah perlahan namun mantap, dan, setelah beberapa waktu, ia melewati tempat Kelinci sedang tertidur. Namun Kelinci terus tidur dengan tenang; dan ketika akhirnya ia terbangun, Kura-kura sudah dekat garis akhir.
The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
Kelinci pun berlari sekencang-kencangnya, tetapi ia tidak bisa menyusul Kura-kura tepat pada waktunya.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Lambat dan mantap memenangkan perlombaan.
