“Come on, hurry up!” Hanu the hare called out to his friends, zooming past them with a grin. He loved showing off his speed.

In the bustling jungle, Hanu was famous for his fast running. As he bragged to the animals, his friend Chintu the monkey shook his head.

“Every day with Hanu is the same,” Chintu said to his friend Tara, the tortoise, who was slowly making her way to the river.

Tara looked up and smiled. “Maybe it’s time someone taught him a lesson about humility.”

Chintu raised an eyebrow. “How? Hanu is so fast!”

“Leave it to me,” Tara said confidently.

Later that afternoon, Hanu was lounging under a tree, chatting with a group of animals. Tara approached, walking steadily.

“Hanu, I’d like to challenge you to a race,” Tara said.

Hanu laughed loudly. “You? Race me? This will be fun! I’ll finish the race before you even start!”

The animals gathered around, excited by the challenge. They all knew how quick Hanu was and were curious about Tara’s plan.

“Ready for the race?” Hanu asked, still chuckling.

“Ready,” Tara replied calmly.

They lined up at the starting point. Hanu was already bouncing on his toes, eager to start.

“On your marks, get set, go!” shouted Chintu, who was acting as the referee.

Hanu sped off like a rocket, his feet barely touching the ground. Tara began her race at her slow, steady pace.

As Hanu raced far ahead, he looked back and saw Tara moving slowly. He snickered and decided to take a nap under a big banyan tree.

“This is going to be too easy,” Hanu said to himself, closing his eyes.

Tara kept moving. She was not fast, but she was determined. She knew the jungle well and used the paths she knew best.

Suddenly, Tara spotted a hidden path that led straight to the finish line. She took this shortcut, stepping carefully but quickly.

Back at the banyan tree, Hanu woke up and stretched. He looked around and saw Tara nearing the finish line.

“No way!” Hanu shouted, leaping to his feet. “I’ve got to catch up!”

He ran as fast as he could, but Tara was already crossing the finish line. The animals cheered loudly.

“You did it, Tara!” Chintu exclaimed. “You won the race!”

Hanu arrived, panting heavily. He couldn’t believe his eyes. “How did this happen? I was so far ahead!”

Tara smiled. “It’s not just about being fast. It’s about being clever and not underestimating others.”

Hanu’s ears drooped. “I was so confident I didn’t even think about the possibility of losing. I guess I learned something today.”

Tara nodded. “Everyone has their own strengths. It’s important to respect them and not be arrogant.”

Hanu felt humbled. “Thank you, Tara. I’ll remember this lesson. No more boasting from me.”

From then on, Hanu was more modest. He admired Tara’s cleverness and often joined her and Chintu in their adventures. The jungle was happier, with everyone respecting each other’s strengths.

Tara and Hanu became good friends, sharing many more races and stories. The jungle buzzed with joy and laughter, all thanks to a clever tortoise and a once-boastful hare who learned a valuable lesson.