Fables in Rhyme for Little Folks From the French of La Fontaine

audiobook

Fables in Rhyme for Little Folks From the French of La Fontaine

by Jean de La Fontaine

EN·~24 minutes·20 chapters

Chapters

20 total
1

This book contains the following Fables from the French of La Fontaine:

0:36
2

La Fontaine composed the most entertaining Fables ever written in any language, and made them a model of literary perfection; yet our translators and compilers have somehow neglected him. His Fables are lyric poetry of a high order, and this alone has doubtless been a barrier to a better acquaintance with his work when transferred to our own tongue. Done into prose, the Fables are no longer La Fontaine, but take their place with the many respectable, dull translations which English readers try to admire because they are classics--though the soul that made them such has been separated from the dead body.

7:42
3

The Frog Who Wished To Be As Big As The Ox.

0:29
4

The Grasshopper And The Ant.

0:46
5

The Cat And The Fox.

1:12
6

The Hen With The Golden Eggs.

0:23
7

The Dog And His Image.

0:16
8

The Acorn and the Pumpkin.

0:51
9

The Raven And The Fox.

0:41
10

The City Mouse And The Country Mouse.

0:41

Description

A fresh take on the timeless tales of La Fontaine brings his clever animal fables to a new generation. The editor has turned the original French verses into lively, rhymed English adaptations that keep the wit and moral punch while shedding obscure references and archaic diction. Each story is reshaped into forms that sound natural to modern ears, letting the lion, the owl, the gnat and their companions speak in a voice children can easily follow.

Designed especially for young listeners, the collection gathers only those fables that have delighted readers for centuries, offering clear lessons wrapped in charm and humor. The verses retain the spirit of the classic source, even as they swap old metaphors for contemporary images, ensuring the moral truths remain vivid and memorable. This gentle, sing‑song retelling makes the age‑old wisdom of the fables feel fresh and enjoyable for today’s curious ears.

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Details

Full title

Fables in Rhyme for Little Folks From the French of La Fontaine From the French of La Fontaine

Language

en

Duration

~24 minutes (23K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2008-01-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Jean de La Fontaine

Jean de La Fontaine

1621–1695

Best known for turning brief animal tales into sparkling works of literature, this 17th-century French poet gave the fable a wit and elegance that still feel fresh. His stories are simple on the surface, but full of sharp observations about pride, power, greed, and human nature.

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