“I am taking a walk,” said the hedgehog.

“A walk!” said the hare, with a smile. “It seems to me that you might use your legs for a better purpose.” This answer made the hedgehog furiously angry, for he can bear anything but an attack on his legs, just because they are crooked by nature.

So now the hedgehog said to the hare, “You seem to imagine that you can do more with your legs than I with mine.”

“That is just what I do think,” said the hare.

“That can be put to the test,” said the hedgehog. “I wager that if we run a race, I will outstrip you.”

“That is ridiculous! You with your short legs!” said the hare, “but for my part I am willing, if you have such a monstrous fancy for it. What shall we wager?”

“A golden louis-d’or and a bottle of brandy,” said the hedgehog.