Because Slow & Steady Does Win the Race

Since when was the story of the Tortoise and the Hare not popular anymore?

If you think about it, this story is definitely really uplifting and very true. The lesson is really something valuable because it tells the reader that if you are steady and strong you certainly will win the race of life. When I first was told this story, I was like OMG THIS IS AMAZING!!!! Well......
I was only a little kid like 4 or 5 years old so I was amused easily, but ANYWAYS I thought to myself...
So what made the tortoise win the race? Duh--slow and steady wins the race (as the story goes).
But really though, what about this delicate creature made him win? Historically, the tortoise is a symbol of America, because if you really think about it, America is shaped like a tortoise.

The Native Americans actually thought of a tortoise as a symbol for USA because of their abilities, strengths, and beauty. The first thing I think of when I think about them, is that they are strong. Why though? Well I can tell you right now, they are strong because of their hard shells and tough skin but also because they  are so grounded and connected with the earth. You see, they do have something physically great about them, but also something sentimental. 
 
They don't just have interesting physical aspects though. Tortoises are also very shy and scared, ergo their shells. They hide under their shells because they understand that if they do so, they will be greatly protected. If you think about it, this isn't really a bad thing. You must be thinking: Well duh, Their shells are awesome!!! This is actually the point of the story. The hare tells the tortoise that he will win the race because he is much faster, and because tortoises are slow, boring, and scared. So of course a little kid would say: The hare is going to win!!! This is what people are trying to tell children, don't underestimate the power of a hard worker, and that you can accomplish anything if you put your heart to it. Slow and determined effort goes a longer way than just relying on talent. What the tortoises are telling us, is to be strong and brave, focus and never stop believing because you can do anything if you set your mind on it. They are also telling us that it is actually a strength, not a weakness, to know where your boundaries are and when to stop.
 
The tortoise is not just an amazing philosopher... I know that this is a good life lesson, but physically, what makes these animals so amazing?
 

• They have a high shell, to protect themselves, its front limbs have sharp claws to dig underground, and its back limbs are covered in thick scales!
• Adult desert tortoises can survive a year without water! 
• The desert tortoise can live where ground temperatures each to 140 degrees F because of their ability to dig burrows! Now THATS IMPRESSIVE! Don't you just wish, if you could have a superpower, it would be tortoise power?

I certainly wish.
 
What animal power do you want to hear about? Post it in the comments! 
 
Anyways, back on subject, tortoises are amazing, and they have so many more abilities that I would love to share with you but, then we would be here all day! These are outstanding creatures that sadly, are starting to fall in the extinction category. Amazing people at The Turtle Conservancy are doing wonderful things to try and save them, please go to www.turtleconservancy.org to donate and save the tortoises  in this  place we call earth! Let us all live a happier life!

                               I believe in hope
                                                             
                                      Do you?

                                     xoxo Clara




works cited:
photos:
 http://edublog.amdsb.ca/margsjy/files/2014/05/image-28695p6.jpg (map)
http://www.freewoodpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Tortoise_Hare.jpg (tortoise and hare)
http://www.sulcatatortoise.net/important-facts-baby-sulcata-tortoise/ (strawberry)

"Basic Facts About Desert Tortoises." Desert Tortoise. Defenders of Wildlife, n.d. Web.01 Dec 2014.