Jean de La Fontaine (8 July 1621–13 April 1695) was a widely read French poet in the 17th century and is the most famous French fabulist. His Fables provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France, and in French regional languages.
[Read more…] about Jean de La FontaineE-Book Links
Some ask where the original files for the books used to create this collection are located. This post contains links to those files. The request usually comes in the form of a question about using the text and/or illustrations on this site in some other collection.
[Read more…] about E-Book LinksThe Father and His Sons
[Read more…] about The Father and His SonsA dying father told his sons about a treasure in a field if they only dig for it. They did. Good yield was their treasure.
Good counsel is the best legacy.
Aesop’s Fables Home Page
Throughout history fables have been a popular method of giving instruction. Fables contain a short narrative that seeks to illustrate a hidden message. Generally, fables use animals or objects as part of the narrative yet the message is designed to apply to humans. By doing this, the fabulist is not perceived as the teacher and this reduces any bias the listeners might have against the person. The most famous fabulist would be Aesop who most date around 620 B.C. Many fables are attributed to Aesop, but it’s unclear how many he actually wrote; indeed, his historical existence as a person is under question. I’ve collected many of them here for your enjoyment. A number of translations were found and the fables collected. Several different translations and interpretations of the same fable may be found on many of the pages here; including, now and again, a simplified version I wrote.
[Read more…] about Aesop’s Fables Home PageBewick Introduction
THE INTRODUCTION.
From time to time, in all ages, men inspired, or gifted with a superior degree of intellectual power, have appeared upon the stage of life, in order (by enlightening others) to fulfil the designs of Omnipotence, in uniting the world in a state of civilized society.
[Read more…] about Bewick IntroductionMercury and The Carpenter
[Read more…] about Mercury and The CarpenterA workman lost an axe. Mercury recovered a gold and silver axe which the workman refused. Mercury then recovered the real axe and gave him the others.
Truth is the better strategy.