Jean De La Fontaine's Fables

Fables in Rhyme!

All about De La Fontaine's fables

17th century poet Jean De La Fontaine was clearly inspired by the great fabulists (fable writers) of history. He took their works and expanded on them, cleverly, playfully, and in a nuanced fashion.

We English speakers rely on Elizur Wright's 19th century translations of De La Fontaine's work. (Wright was himself a great man: a mathematician, devoutly religious, and an abolitionist.)

I love these translated pieces as literature more than as lessons. With De La Fontaine's 17th century sensibilities and Wright's 19th century English, they require a little effort. I recommend them especially highly for older kids who will soon be tackling, say, Shakespeare.

De La Fontaine's fables are bite-sized and therefore easier to puzzle out. Besides, you can always refer to the straightforward fables they're based on when you get stuck! (In fact, I'll make a point of referring you to the source fable for each of de la Fontaine's poems.)

Below is a very small sampling of De La Fontaine's work. If you love them like I do, you can always find the complete works:

Fontaine's Fables: The Complete Fables of Jean de La Fontaine