Small Metal Figurine of Hare Riding Tortoise · Carlson Fable Collection

Title: Small Metal Figurine of Hare Riding Tortoise
Description: 2015? Small Metal Figurine of Hare Riding Tortoise. 1.5" high, 1.75" long. Unknown source.

The figurine, not immediately findable on the web, touches a question I have regularly had: Why is the hare riding the tortoise? The pose has nothing to do with the common Aesopic fable, but occurs frequently as a representative of that story. Might there be a different story from some other tradition?
Date: 2015?
Subject: Carvings, Statues, & Figurines See all items with this value; Other Small Carvings, Statues, & Figurines See all items with this value; The Tortoise and the Hare See all items with this value