LE CHARTIER EMBOURBÉ
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
Once, a man had a big wagon. It got stuck in deep, sticky mud. The wagon was heavy. Its wheels sank deep. The mud was very big. The mud was very sticky. The wagon could not move.
The Man was alone. No one was near. He was far from home. He sighed a big sigh. He felt very sad. He complained loudly. He complained about the mud. He complained about his wagon. He felt very, very sad.
The Man was still sad. He needed help. He looked up at the sky. He waited for help. He called for a strong helper. 'Oh, strong helper!' he cried. 'Please help my wagon! You are very strong. You can help me now.'
Then a big voice spoke. It came from the sky. It was The Wise Voice. The voice was deep and kind. The Man listened closely. The Wise Voice said, 'Help yourself first. You must try. Then I can help you.'
The Wise Voice gave instructions. The voice told him what to do. 'Look at your wagon,' it said. 'See the mud on the wheels. Take the mud off the wheels. There is a big stone. Break the big stone. 'Fill the hole.' The Man listened. 'Use your hands,' it said. 'Work hard, Man.'
The Man worked hard. His hands got dirty. He pushed and pulled. He felt strong. He took off the mud. He broke the big stone. He filled the hole. He said, 'I did it!'
The Wise Voice spoke again. The Man listened to the voice. The Man looked at his whip. It was on the seat. 'Now, take your whip,' it said.
The Man took his whip. He held it in his hand. He could not believe it. The wheels turned. The wagon rolled. He was very surprised! The wagon moved. It moved easily. The mud was gone. The wagon was free now.
The Man was very happy. He smiled a big smile. He felt proud. He understood the lesson. He thanked The Wise Voice. The Wise Voice said, 'You did it! Your hard work helped the wagon. Always help yourself first. Then good things can happen.'
Original Story
LE CHARTIER EMBOURBÉ.
Le phaéton d’une voiture à foin
Vit son char embourbé. Le pauvre homme étoit loin
De tout humain secours: c’étoit à la campagne,
Près d’un certain canton de la Basse-Bretagne,
Appelé Quimper-Corentin.
On sait assez que le Destin
Adresse là les gens quand il veut qu’on enrage.
Dieu nous préserve du voyage!
Pour venir au chartier embourbé dans ces lieux,
Le voilà qui déteste et jure de son mieux,
Pestant, en sa fureur extrême,
Tantôt contre les trous, puis contre ses chevaux,
Contre son char, contre lui-même.
Il invoque à la fin le dieu dont les travaux
Sont si célèbres dans le monde.
Hercule, lui dit-il, aide-moi; si ton dos
A porté la machine ronde,
Ton bras peut me tirer d’ici.
Sa prière étant faite, il entend dans la nue
Une voix qui lui parle ainsi.
Hercule veut qu’on se remue,
Puis il aide les gens. Regarde d’où provient
L’achoppement qui te retient;
Ote d’autour de chaque roue
Ce malheureux mortier, cette maudite boue
Qui jusqu’à l’essieu les enduit;
Prends ton pic, et me romps ce caillou qui te nuit;
Comble-moi cette ornière. As-tu fait? Oui, dit l’homme.
Or bien je vas t’aider, dit la voix; prends ton fouet.
Je l’ai pris... Qu’est ceci? mon char marche à souhait!
Hercule en soit loué! Lors la voix: Tu vois comme
Tes chevaux aisément se sont tirés de là.
Aide-toi, le Ciel t’aidera.
XIX
Story DNA
Moral
Heaven helps those who help themselves.
Plot Summary
A carter's hay wagon becomes deeply mired in mud in a remote area. Despairing and far from human aid, he curses his misfortune and invokes Hercules for help. A voice from the clouds, identified as Hercules, instructs him to first help himself by clearing the mud from his wheels, breaking a stone, and filling a rut. After the carter performs these tasks, the voice tells him to take his whip, and the wagon moves freely. The voice then reveals that the carter's own efforts enabled the success, concluding with the moral: "Heaven helps those who help themselves."
Themes
Emotional Arc
frustration to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Jean de La Fontaine was a 17th-century French fabulist, known for adapting ancient fables (like Aesop's) into French verse, often with satirical or moralistic undertones relevant to his time.
Plot Beats (9)
- A carter finds his hay wagon deeply stuck in mud in a remote, difficult region of Brittany.
- He is far from any human help and begins to curse and complain about the situation, his horses, his wagon, and even himself.
- In his despair, he invokes Hercules, asking for help, believing that if Hercules could carry the world, he could free his wagon.
- A voice from the clouds responds, telling him that Hercules helps those who help themselves first.
- The voice instructs the carter to examine the problem, clear the mud from his wheels, break a hindering stone, and fill a rut.
- The carter confirms he has completed these tasks.
- The voice then tells him to take his whip.
- The carter takes his whip, and to his astonishment, the wagon moves easily.
- He praises Hercules, and the voice concludes by explaining that his own efforts allowed his horses to pull the wagon free, stating the moral: "Heaven helps those who help themselves."
Characters
The Carter
A man of sturdy build, likely accustomed to manual labor, with broad shoulders and strong arms from working with horses and heavy carts. His face is weathered from exposure to the elements.
Attire: Practical, durable peasant clothing suitable for 17th-century Brittany. This would include a coarse linen or wool tunic (blouse), sturdy breeches, and thick leather boots, all likely caked with mud and dust from his work. He might wear a simple felt or wool cap.
Wants: To free his cart from the mud and continue his journey, thereby fulfilling his duty and livelihood.
Flaw: His tendency to complain and give up before trying to solve the problem himself; a lack of self-reliance.
He transforms from a helpless, complaining individual who blames external forces to someone who understands the importance of self-reliance and proactive problem-solving.
Impatient, prone to despair, quick to anger and blame others (or his circumstances), but ultimately willing to follow instructions and work hard when given clear direction. He is initially helpless but becomes resourceful.
Hercules (The Voice)
As a disembodied voice, no physical description is given. However, his presence implies immense strength and wisdom.
Attire: Not applicable.
Wants: To teach mortals the value of helping themselves, embodying the principle 'Aide-toi, le Ciel t’aidera.'
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, as he is a divine figure offering guidance.
Does not have a personal arc, but serves as the catalyst for the carter's transformation.
Wise, firm, encouraging, and pragmatic. He believes in self-reliance and teaches through indirect guidance rather than direct intervention.
Locations
Country Road near Quimper-Corentin
A remote, muddy country road in the Basse-Bretagne region of France, specifically near Quimper-Corentin. The road is deeply rutted and filled with thick, cursed mud that coats the cart wheels up to the axle. There are hindering stones and deep ruts. The area is far from human habitation, implying a desolate, rural landscape.
Mood: Frustrated, desolate, challenging, isolated, eventually hopeful.
The carter's cart becomes hopelessly stuck in the mud, leading to his desperate pleas to Hercules and the subsequent divine instruction to help himself.