Tortoise And Hare

In the famed Aesop’s Fable, ‘Hare and Tortoise’, ultimately it is the tortoise that wins the race. This story has a deep spiritual significance and is of immense learning value. After all, life too is a race in which all of us have to participate. The hare by its very nature is a fast, swift, impulsive and an ever-moving creature. The human mind is much like the hare. All the while, it indulges in ‘self-talk’ that creates mental agitations.

The ongoing rumbling of thoughts saps us of our psychic energy, leaving us feeling exhausted. Depending upon individual psyche, it may lead to dejection, disappointment and even depression, to the extent that a person may feel defeated in life much like the hare who lost the race.

With attributes of a hare, one is most likely to lose in the life’s race. On the other hand, with the tortoise-like attributes, one can aspire to be a winner. A tortoise has a hard shell that keeps it protected from external vagaries. The human intellect is like that shell. Because of its logical and objective thinking, it keeps one away from the temptations of the materialistic world and taking emotional decisions.


Our senses are powerful enough to push us towards external attractions; leading to misery and sorrow. For a peaceful and fulfilling life, we must activate our intellect to keep the external attractions at bay, withdraw and stay centred, much like the tortoise withdrawing its limbs.