A Slight Revision To Aesop's Tale

An arrogant hare challenged a lethargic turtle to a race.
The hare ridiculed the turtle due to its lumbering pace.

"The loser", declared the hare " will be destined for the pot!"
The "hare"-brained turtle agreed knowing he didn't have a shot!

The turtle desperately tried to figure a way not to become the dupe,
And end his long and illustrious life as a repast of turtle soup!

They began the race and the hopping hare surged way ahead.
The ponderous turtle trailed behind with a growing sense of dread!

O'er the meadows and through the piney woods they raced.
The turtle could readily see that he was being outpaced!

"Fiddle faddle!" wheezed the hare "I'm gonna stop and take a nap!"
The turtle trundled steadily onward and quickly closed the gap!

When the hare awoke the turtle had crossed the finish line!
"Aha!" quoth the turtle, "it won't be me on which they dine!"

The bewildered hare was stewed and made a fine rarebit stew,
Making a tasty meal upon which the turtle could leisurely chew!

The moral of this tale is one that is echoed from the past:
"The last shall be first and the first shall be last!"

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Placed No. 1 in Poet Destroyer's "Turtle Soup" Contest - August 2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Dufresne Avatar
August 22, 2010 at 5:44 AM
very well done, Bob and an excellent job with the vehicle to tell your story. ..as usual! Congratulations to you my poetically gifted friend.
Dillard Avatar
August 19, 2010 at 9:18 AM
A+ Bob. Keep up the hot streak! RAY
Mehta Avatar
August 16, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Congrats on the big win, Bob
Dietrich Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 9:18 PM
wow, super congatulations to you, Robert! Luv, Andrea
Adeite Avatar
August 9, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Congrats on your well deserved win in Robert's contest, you are such a creative poet. Please keep your creative caps on and let your poetry pen keep painting your poetry pads with paints of passion. Enjoy the honor as I wish you many more. Love always, Adeleke
Brown Avatar
August 9, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Congratulations Robert on your 1st Place win in (Destroyer((Poet's contest "Turtle Soup". Love, Carol
Gorelick Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Bob, congrats my dear on a #1..way cool. BG
Roberts Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 9:34 AM
congrats on your win with this wonderful poem
Richards Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 8:35 AM
Excellent choice PD has made in the contest, Robert!! Congratuations on this wonderful tale!! :)
Sweetheart Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 6:48 AM
Well I am so happy to congratulate u Bob on this wonderful extraordinary write and big first place win in P.D.'s contest .. those tales never lose their punch and your rhymes never lose their entertaining us.. enjoy and happy Sunday.. with luv..
K. Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 5:54 AM
Very clever twist to this Aesop's fable Bob :) souper enjoyed this one--eek poor hare! Totally deserving of 1st place win, super yay for you-- congrats!! -- nikko :)
Fraser Avatar
August 8, 2010 at 5:15 AM
Terrific win for you Robert with this deserved Gem. Many congratulations to you, have a wonderful Sunday >> James
Mitchell Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 3:19 AM
Ha! This is a nice 'adjustment' to the tale: )
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Robert, what an entertaining write with the excellent moral, we have all come to revere, making a perfect ending! I am sure this will do wonderful in the contest. It was delightful to read. Aloha, Connie
Taylor Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Nice going, my friend. Awesome write. Enjoyed the read. Ralphie
Kendrick Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Great write that ended with a "Biblical Note"..Enjoyed the reading of your words that reads like a sure winner...Good luck..Enjoyed the reading..Sara
Tideswell Avatar
August 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM
Oh 'fiddle faddle', now I'm pretty sure - this write of yours will be the soup de jour!! Hehe, excellent write, I think you'll have a podium finish with this one ~ Sharon :)
Dietrich Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 9:08 PM
YOu will have to tell me where granny's tattoo is since I can't get to it by typing in poem it says systems error. Oh, and I love this poem of yours. And you could also say: The last shall not be eaten first. . the first not eaten last. NO, it's too confusing!! LUv, Andrea
A   Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 12:03 PM
I have to comment you Bob H., now this has a funny twist to it. I loved it and enjoyed your entry,,, have a nice day,..p.d.
Roberts Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 11:58 AM
love it , good luck in the contest
Sweetheart Avatar
August 2, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Nice spin on the age old fable Bob and enjoyed your couplet rhymes so superb... this story will never fade away.. good luck in the contest for P.D....my entry is Four Turtles for Soup... about my sons and turtles... good luck..with luv..
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