Chapter 85
The RacesA PRIZE, or rather two prizes, a great one and a small
one, had been awarded for the greatest swiftness in running,—not in
a single race, but for the whole year.
"I obtained the first prize," said the hare. "Justice must
still be carried out, even when one has relations and good friends
among the prize committee; but that the snail should have received
the second prize, I consider almost an insult to myself"
"No," said the fence-rail, who had been a witness at the
distribution of prizes; "there should be some consideration for
industry and perseverance. I have heard many respectable people say
so, and I can quite understand it. The snail certainly took half a
year to get over the threshold of the door; but he injured himself,
and broke his collar-bone by th
