Photo by lolaleeloo2 on Flickr
Jean de La Fontaine is undoubtedly one of the most famous fabulists (one who writes fables) who ever lived. Born in 1621, he was a contemporary of King Louis XIV and was celebrated for his fables involving talking animals and insects. His works have never waned in popularity and have been translated into dozens of languages.
The following fable is entitled La Cigale et la Fourmi, loosely translated The Grasshopper and the Ant (Cigale is actually a Cicada, a large insect found in warmer climates, typically in the south of France).
La Cigale, ayant chanté
The Grasshopper, having sung
Tout l’été,
All summer long,
Se trouva fort dépourvue
Found herself lacking food
Quand la bise fut venue.
When the North Wind began its song.
Pas un seul petit morceau
Not a single little piece
De mouche ou de vermisseau.
Of fly or grub.
Elle alla crier famine
She went complaining of hunger
Chez la Fourmi sa voisine,
To the Ant her neighbor,
La priant de lui prêter
Begging her for a loan
Quelque grain pour subsister
Of some grain to survive
Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle.
Until the new season.
“Je vous paierai,” lui dit-elle,
“I will pay you,” she said,
“Avant l’août,” foi d’animal,
“Before August,” on an animal’s faith.
“Intérêt et principal.”
“Interest and principal.”
La Fourmi n’est pas prêteuse;
The Ant was not so inclined.
C’est là son moindre défaut.
That is one of her lesser faults.
“Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud?”
“What were you doing all summer?”
Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse.
Said she to the borrower.
“Nuit et jour à tout venant”
“Night and day to each one who came”
“Je chantais, ne vous déplaise.”
“I sang, if you please.”
“Vous chantiez? J’en suis fort aise.”
“You were singing? I’m at ease.”
Et bien! Dansez maintenant.
“Well then! Now you must dance.”
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