Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 25

A lively assortment of Fontaine’s classic fables arrives in this volume, beginning with a convent‑bound romance that turns the cloister into a comedy of disguise. A clever nun and her lover swap roles as dress‑maker and apprentice, weaving humor and risk into every stitch while the abbess remains blissfully unaware. The tale captures both the playful cunning of the characters and the timeless tension between duty and desire.

The collection continues with a braggart Gascon boasting of his conquests, a hapless maid who breaks a pitcher and confronts sudden despair, and a courtier whose promises tumble into a tangled game of gestures. Each story balances wit with a moral edge, offering listeners a taste of the sharp irony and gentle satire that define Fontaine’s enduring storytelling. The pieces invite listeners to reflect on human foibles while enjoying the melodic cadence of 17‑century French verse rendered in English.