The Hare and the Tortoise (IP*)

A student of great aptitude
– he quickly hared ahead
until, the deadline now so close
for handing in, instead

of working hard he thought he would
take ease and have some fun –
his rival (careful plodder, slow)
had only just begun.

He had so little more to do,
he’d break from all that slog:
between the drink and merriment
the night became a fog.

Meanwhile, his rival, tortoise-like
made steady progress, clear;
he did not find it easy but
the prize was very dear.

He wanted now to prove he could
with competence compete;
it would become a massive, great
achievement, or defeat.

Late night, and then an early rise,
he steadily worked on,
he handed in, with time to spare,
content in what he’d done.

‘It’s unbelievable’, cried he
who saw his rival leave,
for foggily he’d fudged and rushed,
but now could only grieve.

He wasn’t first, his work was poor,
he’d really lost the plot,
but how, and where he’d been passed by
his mind had quite forgot!

*I’m sorry I had to split ‘massive achievement’, or risk rubbishing my rhythm!