The Tortoise & The Hare | Nana JoJo Bedtime Story

Join Nana JoJo for a soothing, warmly narrated retelling of the beloved classic, The Tortoise and the Hare — a timeless story about two very different friends and a race that surprises everyone.

With a calm, nurturing voice and gentle pacing, this 12-minute story is the perfect way to help little ones slow down, feel safe, and drift peacefully off to sleep. A beautiful reminder for children — and the grown-ups who love them — that it’s not about being the fastest, but about keeping going, one steady step at a time. Sweet dreams, little one!

Transcript

Hello, My sweet listener. Welcome to Storytime with Nana Jojo. I'm so happy you're here with me today. I'm Nana Jojo, And I have another wonderful story to share with you. But first, Let's get cozy. Grab your favorite stuffy and your softest blanket, And let's snuggle in. Now let's take some slow, Deep breaths together. When we take big, Slow breaths, Our bodies feel happier and more relaxed. So let's take a big breath in through your nose, And breathe out with a happy sigh, Like this. Let's do that again. Big breath in, And breathe out. One more time. Big breath in, And breathe out. Super duper job. Don't you feel nice and relaxed? Yes, I do too. Okay, My sweet little one, It's time for our story. The story I have for you today is very, Very old. Children have loved it for hundreds and hundreds of years. It's the story about a slow little tortoise and a very fast hare, And it teaches us something really, Really important. Are you ready? Okay, Let's begin. Once upon a time, In a sunny green meadow, There lived a tortoise named Timothy. A tortoise is like a turtle. They have a big round shell on their back, And they walk very, Very slow. But Timothy the tortoise didn't mind being slow at all. He was happy just the way he was. Every day, Timothy walked slowly on the path through the meadow, Step by step by step. He stopped to smell the flowers. He watched the birds fly by, And he smiled at everyone he passed. Timothy was a very happy tortoise. One day, A hare named Henry came hopping through the meadow. A hare is like a bunny, But much bigger and much, Much faster. Henry the hare was the fastest animal in the whole meadow, And he knew it. Henry loved to show off and run fast. One afternoon, Henry saw Timothy walking slowly along the path. Ha! Look at that tortoise. He is so slow, Laughed Henry. Timothy just smiled and kept on walking. You're the slowest thing I've ever seen. You could never win a race, Said Henry. Timothy stopped and looked at Henry. I'll race you, Said Timothy. Henry laughed so hard his long ears flopped up and down. You race me? Oh, That is so funny. But Timothy just smiled and said, Tomorrow morning, From the big oak tree to the old stone wall at the top of the hill. OK, I'll race you, And I'm going to win, Said Henry. The next morning, All the animals came to watch. Squirrels and rabbits and butterflies and birds were there. Even a family of frogs came to watch. Everyone was so excited. Henry stretched his long legs and bounced up and down. He was very sure he was going to win. This will be easy, He said to his friends. I'll be done before that slow tortoise even gets started. Timothy stood quietly at the starting line. He took a slow, Deep breath. He wasn't worried. He just looked ahead at the path. A wise old owl sat in the big oak tree above. She called out in a big voice, On your mark, Get set, Go! And they were off. Henry zoomed ahead. Zip, Zip, Zip. Zip, Zip, Zip. He ran so fast his ears flew back in the wind. In just a few moments, He was way, Way, Way ahead. He looked back and could barely even see Timothy behind him. Ha, Said Henry. This is no contest at all. He ran a little further, And then he noticed a soft, Shady spot under a big apple tree. It looked like a perfect place to rest. Henry was so sure he was winning. That slow little tortoise is so far behind me, He said to himself. I have plenty of time. I think I'll take a little nap. And with that, Henry curled up in the cool, Shady grass, Closed his eyes, And fell fast asleep. Meanwhile, Back down the path, Timothy the tortoise kept on walking, Step by step by step. He didn't stop. He didn't look around. He just kept walking, One slow, Steady step at a time. The sun felt warm on his shell. The birds sang above him, And little butterflies danced by. Timothy just smiled and kept on walking, Step by step by step, Past the old stone fence, Past the little brook, Past the patch of daisies, Step by step by step. Timothy was getting closer and closer, And Henry was still fast asleep. The sun began to go down. Long shadows stretched across the meadow, And slowly, Slowly, Timothy walked right past the big apple tree. He could see Henry sleeping in the grass under the tree. His big ears flopped down over his eyes. Timothy didn't say a word. He just smiled and kept on walking, Step by step by step. Up ahead was the old stone wall at the top of the hill. He was almost there, Step by step by step. All the animals began to cheer. They jumped up and down. Timothy was almost at the finish line. They cheered so loud, They woke Henry up. What's going on? Henry shook his sleepy head. Then he looked up and he saw Timothy was almost at the finish line. Oh no! Cried Henry. Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! He jumped up and ran as fast as he could. Zip! Zip! Zip! Faster and faster and faster. But it was too late. With one last slow, Steady step, Timothy the tortoise walked across the finish line. All the animals cheered. The birds sang. The squirrels jumped with joy. The frogs leaped and laughed. Timothy wins! Timothy wins! Henry skidded to a stop just a moment too late. He was out of breath. His ears drooped low. He had lost the race. Timothy turned and gave Henry a warm, Kind smile. You are much faster than me, Henry, Said Timothy. You always will be. But I never stopped. And I never gave up. Henry felt bad. He knew he had not been very nice. I'm sorry, Timothy, Henry said. I was unkind. And I was too proud. Timothy nodded. It's okay, Henry. We can still be friends. And maybe next time. No napping during the race. Henry laughed. A real friendly laugh this time. Deal, He said. And the two of them walked home together through the meadow, Side by side. And from that day on, Henry never made fun of anyone for being slow. And Timothy never, Ever stopped taking his slow, Steady steps. Because he knew something very important. Slow and steady wins the race. And that, My sweet little one, Is the story of Timothy the Tortoise and Henry the Hare. Wasn't that a fun story? Here's what I want you to remember from our story today. You don't have to be the fastest. You don't have to be the biggest or the strongest, Either. All you have to do is keep going, One step at a time. Never give up. And always be kind. That's all it takes. And always remember, Nana Jojo loves you so very much. I'll be right here for you when you're ready for another story. If it's time for you to sleep now, I'm wishing you the sweetest, Most beautiful dreams. I'll see you again very soon, My sweet little one. Good night, And sleep tight. Good night.