If you’ve ever wondered why your French neighbor can quote poetry while handing you a cheese knife, meet Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695), the rock star of moral tales. Between 1668 and 1694 he published twelve books of Fables—239 poetic mini-dramas starring very opinionated animals. They’re classics of French literature and a shared cultural memory: adults cite them, kids recite them, and I—your humble étranger—am still working on pronouncing fourmi without ordering a fournil. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
Why they matter (and why everyone knows them)
La Fontaine adapted old stories (Aesop and friends) into elegant French verse, with wit sharp enough to slice a Comté. Originally aimed at courtly grown-ups, the fables slid into classrooms and never left: French pupils learn and recite them by heart, a tradition that builds bridges across generations—ask almost anyone and you’ll hear “Maître Corbeau, sur un arbre perché…” delivered with theatrical flair. (Wikipedia)
A few fables you’ll hear quoted at cafés
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La Cigale et la Fourmi — sing all summer, panic all winter: foresight vs. generosity (and eternal dinner-table debate).
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Le Corbeau et le Renard — flattery makes the cheese fall; vanity pays.
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Le Lièvre et la Tortue — speed is cute, persistence wins.
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Le Loup et l’Agneau — “might makes right” (grim, memorable).
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Le Rat de ville et le Rat des champs — city sparkle vs. country calm.
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Le Chêne et le Roseau — bend so you don’t break.
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Le Lion et le Rat — today’s small kindness is tomorrow’s big rescue.
(Their sources span Greek and Eastern collections—La Fontaine mixed and remixed with 17ᵗʰ-century finesse.) (Wikipedia)
Coming up on Étranger Things
Over time, I’ll give several favorites their own short posts—for practice in French:
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the story in French,
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bite-size vocab you’ll actually use in Aix,
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the moral (and how to sneak it into small talk without sounding like a fox eyeing your Camembert).
Want to read ahead (or in English with gorgeous engravings)? Try the public-domain editions illustrated by Gustave Doré. I’ll be the one in the corner murmuring “que vous êtes joli, que vous me semblez beau…” and trying not to drop my cheese. (Project Gutenberg)
Your turn: Which line did you learn at school—or which one surprised you as an adult? Drop a comment and tell us your favorite fable…and yes, dramatic recitations are absolutely encouraged.