Whether you are writing flash fiction or longer stories, choosing your point of view (POVs) can transform a familiar tale into a fresh experience.

Let’s revisit the classic fable of The Tortoise and the Hare through various POVs to see how perspective shapes storytelling.

Original Story (Third-Person Omniscient)

Once upon a time, a boastful hare challenged a slow-moving tortoise to a race. Confident in his speed, the hare dashed ahead and, seeing no competition, decided to take a nap. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept moving steadily. By the time the hare woke up, the tortoise was near the finish line. The hare sprinted, but it was too late—the tortoise had won.

Third-Person Limited (Hare’s POV)

The hare smirked. This race was his. The tortoise? A joke. He sprinted ahead, then lounged under a tree. A nap wouldn’t hurt. When he woke up, he stretched, then turned toward the finish line—only to see the tortoise crossing it. His jaw dropped. What! How?

Here, we only see the hare’s thoughts, making his realization more dramatic.

Third-Person Limited (Tortoise’s POV)

The tortoise knew he was slow, but he also knew one thing: he wouldn’t stop. The hare had vanished ahead, but that didn’t matter. Step by step, he kept going. Then, the finish line was in sight. His heart pounded. A gust of wind rushed past—no, the hare! But it was too late. The tortoise crossed first.

This version makes the tortoise the main character, focusing on his persistence.

First-Person (Hare’s POV)

“I had this race in the bag. That tortoise? Please. I could run circles around him. So, I took a nap—because why not? When I woke up, I jogged to the finish line, stretching. And then—I saw him. That slowpoke was already there. I lost?! Impossible!”

Told from the hare’s perspective, we experience his confidence and shock firsthand.

First-Person (Tortoise’s POV)

“I knew I couldn’t outrun him. But I also knew he’d get cocky. So, I walked. And walked. And when I reached the finish line, I heard the hare’s frantic footsteps behind me. Too late, my friend. I had already won.”

From the tortoise’s POV, we feel his quiet determination.

Objective POV

The race began. The hare bolted ahead while the tortoise moved slowly. The hare stopped under a tree and lay down. His breathing slowed. Meanwhile, the tortoise continued moving. The hare’s eyes snapped open. He jumped up, sprinting. But the tortoise had already crossed the finish line.

Here, there are no thoughts or feelings—just actions. The reader must infer emotions.

Unreliable Narrator (Hare’s POV)

“That tortoise cheated. I swear, he had rockets strapped to his shell! There’s no way he won fair and square. Everyone saw me ahead, right? I was just… resting my eyes. That slowpoke must have taken a shortcut!”

An unreliable narrator skews reality, making the hare seem delusional.

Each POV offers a unique lens, enriching the narrative and providing fresh insights. Experimenting with different perspectives can deepen your storytelling and engage readers in new ways.

Ready to experiment with POV in your own writing? Take a simple story and rewrite it from different perspectives. Share your versions in the comments below.

Let’s see how perspective transforms your tales!

Mother of three adult humans. An idealistic, outspoken woman of scrupulous integrity, in love with words. A storyteller who enjoys crocheting tales. And a passionate bibliophile, of course.