Fables of Jean De La Fontaine in English and French
The following are the fables of Jean De La Fontaine in English and French.
There are 243 fables originally written in French by the poet Jean De La Fontaine in the late 1600's. He spent
26 years writing his versions of the fables. Most of these are originals from La Fontaine and those that
are not are often quite different and more eloquent than other aesops fables of the same title.
The translations have been performed by those as noted and this web site is very grateful to have these wonderful people doing this. I am still looking for others that may be able to translate one of the books of the 12 available. Just write me for information. Thanks.. | |
Book 1 Translated by Michael Star | |
1. The Grasshopper and the Ant | . |
2. The Crow and The Fox | . |
7. La Besace -- The Alms Bag | The Creator made us like alms bags all in the same way: Those born long ago and those born today. Our own faults are buried in the rear pouch. The front pouch is reserved for the faults of others. |
22. The Oak and the Reed | . |
Book 2 | |
Book 3 | |
Book 4 Translated by Jacqueline Dupanloup | |
1. The Lion in Love | . |
3. The Fly and the Ant | Work steadily and always plan for lean times |
5. The Donkey and the Lapdog | Beware, another's talent may not necessarily be yours |
10. The Camel and the Floating Driftwood | From afar it is something big, and close it is nothing |
13. The Horse seeking revenge on the Stag | . |
15. The Wolf, the Nanny-Goat, and The Kid | Better be sure than sorry |
17. A Saying Of Socrates | True friends are rare |
19. The Oracle and the Impious | . |
20. The Miser who lost his Treasure | . |
21. The Master's Eye | To see everything, the Master's Eye is best of all, As for me, I would add, so is the Lover's Eye. |
Book 5 | |
Book 6 Translated by Michael Star | |
4. Jupiter and the Sharecropper | Accept that Providence knows what is better for us than we do. |
8. The Old Man and The Ass | . |
9. The Stag who Admired his Reflection | We value what is beautiful and scorn the useful. Yet beauty often destroys us. The stag despised his feet which gave him life, While valuing the crown which caused him strife. |
12. The Sun and the Frogs | For a poor untutored animal The Frog, I think, reasons fairly well. |
13. The Villager and the Serpent | Charity is a virtue but be careful toward whom There's no point showing it to ingrates who seal their own doom. |
16. The Horse and the Ass | Share your neighbour's troubles. If he fails it's on your neck, the load will fall. |
17. The Dog Who Lost His Prey for a Shadow | . |
Book 7 | |
Book 8 | |
Book 9 | |
Book 10 | |
Book 11 | |
Book 12 |
Last modified: Wednesday, 23-Sep-2020 19:58:24 PDT