A PRIZE，or rather two prizes， had been announced—a big one and a little one—for the greatest swiftness，not in a single race， but for swiftness through-out an entire year．

“I got the first prize！”said the Hare；“there must be justice when relations and good friends are among the prize committee； but that the Suail should have received the second prize，I consider almost an insult to myself．”

“No！”declared the Fence-rail，who had been witness at the distribution of prizes，“reference must also be had to industry and perseverance．Many respectable people said so，and I understood it well．The Snail¹ certainly took half a year to get across the threshold；but has broken his thigh-bone in the haste he was compelled to make．He devoted² himself entirely³ to his work，and he ran with his house on his back！All that is very praise-worthy，and that's how he got the second prize．”

“I might certainly have been considered too， said the Swallow．“I should think that no one appeared swifter in flying and soaring than myself， and how far I have been around—far—far—far！”

Yes，that's just your misfortune，”said the Fence－rail．“You're too fond of fluttering．You must always be jourmeying about into far countries when it begins to be cold here． You've no love of fatherland in you．You can-not be taken into account．”

“But if I lay in the swamp all through the winter？”said the Swallow．“Suppose I slept through the whole time； should I be taken into account then？”

“Bring a certificate from the old swamp－wife that you have slept away half the time in your fatherland，and you shall be taken into account．”

“I deserved the first prize，and not the second，”said the Snail．“I know so much at least， that the Hare only ran from cowardice， because he thought each time there was danger in delay．I， on the other hand， made my running the business of my life，and have become a cripple in the service．If any one was to have the first prize， I should have had it； but I make no fuss，I despise it！”

And so he spat．

‘I am able to depose⁴ with word and oath that each prize，at least my vote for each，was given after proper consideration，”observed the old Boundary-post in the wood，who had been a member of the body of judges．“ I always go on with due consideration， with order， and calculation．Seven times before I have had the honour to be present at the distribution of prizes， but not till today have I carried out my will．At each distribution I have started from a

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1 snail
n.蜗牛
参考例句：
Snail is a small plant-eating creature with a soft body.蜗牛是一种软体草食动物。 Time moved at a snail's pace before the holidays.放假前的时间过得很慢。

2 devoted
adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的
参考例句：
He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。 We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

3 entirely
ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地
参考例句：
The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。 His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 depose
vt.免职；宣誓作证
参考例句：
The witness is going to depose.证人即将宣誓做证。 The emperor attempted to depose the Pope.皇帝企图废黜教皇。

5 fixed
adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的
参考例句：
Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？ Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

6 hind
adj.后面的，后部的
参考例句：
The animal is able to stand up on its hind limbs.这种动物能够用后肢站立。 Don't hind her in her studies.不要在学业上扯她后腿。

7 exhale
v.呼气，散出，吐出，蒸发
参考例句：
Sweet odours exhale from flowers.花儿散发出花香。 Wade exhaled a cloud of smoke and coughed.韦德吐出一口烟，然后咳嗽起来。

8 fragrance
n.芬芳，香味，香气
参考例句：
The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。 The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。

9 reign
n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势
参考例句：
The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。 The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

10 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

11 moss
n.苔，藓，地衣
参考例句：
Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。 He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。