What are the Fables of Jean de La Fontaine?
The renowned fables originated from the esteemed French poet Jean de La Fontaine, and are celebrated as some of the finest masterpieces in French literature and among his most significant accomplishments. These fables are categorized into two distinct collections; the first was published in 1668, while the second, which is regarded as more comprehensive and powerful, was released in 1694.
La Fontaine’s storytelling approach adheres to a traditional and simplistic narrative style that resonates with rural audiences and readers of fables. However, he infuses humor and creativity, laden with moral lessons, often depicted through illustrations accompanying the tales.
His works reflect the local social dynamics of his era, addressing various political and philosophical themes relevant to his time. They encompass a wide range of forms, including stories, poems, letters, and poetic reflections. Yet, the essence of traditional storytelling and the everyday experiences of individuals, filled with diverse emotions, characters, and situations, permeates his writing, totaling an impressive 240 pieces.
Numerous critics categorize La Fontaine’s works as simple yet deeply wise, imparting moral lessons in a delightful and brilliant manner. His choice to feature animals as central characters within comical and engaging scenarios serves to convey timeless truths, as he deliberately avoids tying his stories to any specific historical period, ensuring their relevance across generations. Prominent fables known worldwide include the following:
The Ant and the Grasshopper
The story begins with a grasshopper who spends his summer joyfully singing and playing, blissfully unaware of the impending winter. In contrast, the diligent ant devotes her summer to gathering food in preparation for the harsh winter months ahead. When winter arrives, the ant enjoys warmth and reassurance of having sufficient provisions.
However, the lazy grasshopper finds himself unprepared and hungry in the cold season. He approaches the ant for help, but she refuses, imparting a lesson that he will remember for the rest of his life: one should wisely invest their time in productive endeavors.
The Wolf and the Crow
This tale features a kind-hearted crow and a cunning, sly fox. One day, the crow, perched on a beautiful tall tree in a serene forest, holds a piece of cheese in its beak. The sharp-eyed fox, spotting the cheese, devises a plan to obtain it since he cannot climb the tree nor fly to reach the crow.
The fox flatters the crow by asking it to sing so he can hear its melodious voice. As the crow opens its beak to sing, the cheese falls, landing directly in the fox’s mouth, which he eagerly devours. The moral of this story is to be cautious when dealing with strangers.
The Lion and the Mosquito
In a majestic forest, a lion ruled as king, confident in his strength and superiority. One day, after enjoying a meal, he decided to take a nap under a tree, when a mosquito began buzzing around him. The lion considered himself fortunate to be powerful while viewing the tiny mosquito as weak and insignificant.
Hearing the lion’s prideful speech, the mosquito, angered, resolved to teach him a lesson. Ignoring the lion’s dismissive tone, the mosquito gathered its peers and attacked the lion, forcing him to flee. Eventually, the lion begged for mercy, realizing not to underestimate anyone.
The Tortoise and the Hare
Once upon a time, there was a boastful hare who often ridiculed a slow-moving tortoise. One day, the tortoise challenged the hare to a race, to which the hare, laughing, accepted. The fox was summoned to act as the judge, and as the race commenced, the hare dashed ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind.
Upon reaching the halfway point and spotting no sign of the tortoise, the hare decided to take a nap, confident of its victory. Meanwhile, the relentless tortoise continued steadily forward, refusing to give up. When the hare finally awoke and sprinted toward the finish line, it was astonished to find the tortoise had already crossed it, leading the hare to lose the race.
The Lion and the Mouse
In the heart of a lush forest, the mighty lion, feeling proud of his strength, encountered a mischievous little mouse who loved to play around him while he slept. The mouse climbed on the lion’s back and slid down his tail repeatedly until the startled lion woke up and viewed the mouse as an easy snack.
Fearing for his life, the little mouse pleaded for the lion’s mercy, promising not to disturb him again and suggesting that perhaps one day, he might be of help to the lion.
Some time later, when hunters captured the sleeping lion in netting, the mouse heard his roars for help and rushed to save him, gnawing through the net with his tiny teeth. This act of kindness reminded the lion that no act of kindness is ever wasted.
The Rooster and the Fox
At dawn, the rooster’s crow heralded the start of a new day, catching the attention of a crafty fox who mused about how delightful it would be to dine on the rooster. The fox contemplated a clever scheme since the rooster was quite vigilant.
After careful thought, the fox approached the rooster under the guise of announcing a newfound friendship between all animals, implying that the hostilities had ended, and a celebratory feast was to be organized. The rooster, intrigued yet wary, decided to teach the fox a lesson.
As they exchanged pleasantries, the rooster pretended to see hunting dogs approaching. Upon hearing this, the fox hastily fled to hide, abandoning his plans, illustrating the moral that one should not trust those known for deceit and trickery.
The Shepherd and the Wolf
One day, a shepherd tending to his grandfather’s sheep found himself growing bored while playing with his dog. Seeking amusement, he recalled his grandfather’s advice to call for help from the villagers if he spotted a wolf. Opting for mischief, he decided to lie to the villagers about a wolf attacking the sheep.
The villagers rushed to his aid, only to find the shepherd laughing at their gullibility. A few days later, he repeated the same prank, until the fateful day when a wolf truly attacked the flock. When the shepherd ran to seek help again, no one believed him, and the wolf devoured several sheep.