LE POUVOIR DES FABLES
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
In a big city. There was a speaker. He had a big message. He wanted to tell his people. He saw a big danger. He wanted to help them. He stood up to speak. He spoke about the danger. He spoke about their safety. He spoke very loudly.
But the People did not listen. They looked away from him. They did not care about his words. They watched children play games. They played with their own toys. They did not look at the speaker. The Speaker felt sad. He spoke with strong words. He spoke about important things. But the People did not listen. They looked at other things. They did not listen to the speaker.
The Speaker had an idea. He stopped speaking loudly. He started a new story. He spoke in a soft voice. The story was about Ceres. Ceres was a goddess. She traveled one day. An Eel was with her. A Swallow was with her too. They came to a big river. The Eel swam in the water. The Swallow flew in the sky. They both crossed the river.
The People stopped playing now. They stopped looking away. They listened to the story. They liked the story very much. They wanted to know more. 'Oh!' they all said. 'What did Ceres do next? Tell us about Ceres!' They wanted to hear more. They listened to the speaker.
The Speaker smiled at them. 'You listen to my story!' he said. 'You want to know about Ceres. But you do not listen to me. I spoke about a big danger. I spoke about the real problem. You did not listen then. The danger is still here. It is a very big problem. You must listen to me now. You must listen about the danger.' He spoke clearly.
Now the People listened well. They understood the message. A simple story helped them. It helped them listen better. They listened to important things. The Speaker was happy. Stories can help us learn big lessons. They help us listen well.
Original Story
LE POUVOIR DES FABLES.
A M. DE BARILLON[58]
La qualité d’ambassadeur
Peut-elle s’abaisser à des contes vulgaires?
Vous puis-je offrir mes vers et leurs grâces légères?
S’ils osent quelquefois prendre un air de grandeur,
Seront-ils point traités par vous de téméraires?
Vous avez bien d’autres affaires
A démêler que les débats
Du lapin et de la belette.
Lisez-les, ne les lisez pas:
Mais empêchez qu’on ne nous mette
Toute l’Europe sur les bras.
Que de mille endroits de la terre
Il nous vienne des ennemis,
J’y consens: mais que l’Angleterre
Veuille que nos deux rois se lassent d’être amis,
J’ai peine à digérer la chose.
N’est-il point encor temps que Louis se repose?
Quel autre Hercule enfin ne se trouveroit las
De combattre cette hydre? et faut-il qu’elle oppose
Une nouvelle tête aux efforts de son bras?
Si votre esprit plein de souplesse,
Par éloquence et par adresse,
Peut adoucir les cœurs et détourner ce coup,
Je vous sacrifierai cent moutons: c’est beaucoup
Pour un habitant du Parnasse.
Cependant faites-moi la grâce
De prendre en don ce peu d’encens:
Prenez en gré mes vœux ardents,
Et le récit en vers qu’ici je vous dédie.
Son sujet vous convient; je n’en dirai pas plus;
Sur les éloges que l’envie
Doit avouer qui vous sont dus
Vous ne voulez pas qu’on appuie.
Dans Athène autrefois, peuple vain et léger,
Un orateur[59], voyant sa patrie en danger,
Courut à la tribune; et, d’un air tyrannique,
Voulant forcer les cœurs dans une république,
Il parla fortement sur le commun salut.
On ne l’écoutoit pas. L’orateur recourut
A ces figures violentes
Qui savent exciter les âmes les plus lentes:
Il fit parler les morts, tonna, dit ce qu’il put;
Le vent emporta tout; personne ne s’émut.
L’animal aux têtes frivoles,
Étant fait à ces traits, ne daignoit l’écouter;
Tous regardoient ailleurs: il en vit s’arrêter
A des combats d’enfants, et point à ses paroles.
Que fit le harangueur? Il prit un autre tour.
Cérès, commença-t-il, faisoit voyage un jour
Avec l’anguille et l’hirondelle:
Un fleuve les arrête; et l’anguille en nageant,
Comme l’hirondelle en volant,
Le traversa bientôt. L’assemblée à l’instant
Cria tout d’une voix: Et Cérès, que fit-elle?
Ce qu’elle fit! un prompt courroux
L’anima d’abord contre vous.
Quoi! de contes d’enfants son peuple s’embarrasse;
Et du péril qui le menace
Lui seul entre les Grecs il néglige l’effet!
Que ne demandez-vous ce que Philippe fait!
A ce reproche l’assemblée,
Par l’apologue réveillée,
Se donne entière à l’orateur.
Un trait de fable en eut l’honneur.
Nous sommes tous d’Athène en ce point; et moi-même,
Au moment que je fais cette moralité,
Si Peau-d’âne m’étoit conté,
J’y prendrois un plaisir extrême.
Le monde est vieux, dit-on: je le crois; cependant
Il le faut amuser encor comme un enfant.
V
Story DNA
Moral
Even serious matters can be effectively conveyed through engaging and simple stories, as people are often more receptive to entertainment than direct admonition.
Plot Summary
La Fontaine introduces his fable by addressing a diplomat, questioning the place of light verse amidst serious political matters, particularly concerning Anglo-French relations. He then recounts the story of an Athenian orator who, failing to capture his countrymen's attention with grave warnings about a looming danger, resorted to telling a simple, engaging fable about Ceres, an eel, and a swallow. The distracted crowd, instantly captivated by the trivial tale, eagerly asked for its continuation. The orator seized this moment to chastise them for their misplaced attention, thereby finally gaining their focus on the real threat, demonstrating how a simple story can effectively convey a serious message to a disengaged audience.
Themes
Emotional Arc
frustration to understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The reference to "Philippe" is likely Philip II of Macedon, a historical figure who threatened Athens, making the orator's warning historically resonant. The mention of 'Louis' refers to King Louis XIV of France, and the political tensions with England reflect contemporary concerns of La Fontaine's time.
Plot Beats (8)
- The author, La Fontaine, introduces the fable by addressing a diplomat, Monsieur de Barillon, and musing on the appropriateness of light verses for serious matters, while also expressing concern about international politics.
- He recounts a historical anecdote about an Athenian orator who tried to warn his fellow citizens about a grave danger.
- The orator used powerful, serious rhetoric, but the Athenian people, described as vain and fickle, paid no attention, preferring to watch children's games.
- Frustrated, the orator changed tactics and began a simple story about Ceres, an eel, and a swallow crossing a river.
- The crowd, immediately captivated by the simple tale, eagerly interrupted to ask, "And what did Ceres do?"
- The orator used their sudden engagement to chastise them, pointing out their interest in a children's story while neglecting the real threat from Philip.
- This shift in approach, using a fable, successfully captured the assembly's attention and made them receptive to his urgent message.
- La Fontaine concludes by stating that people, even in old age, still need to be entertained like children to be engaged, and he himself would enjoy a simple tale like "Donkey Skin."
Characters
The Orator
A man of average height and build, with a commanding presence that suggests authority and passion. His features are sharp, indicative of someone accustomed to public speaking and intellectual pursuits. He carries himself with an air of urgency and conviction.
Attire: He wears a simple, yet dignified chiton, likely made of white or cream linen, draped elegantly over one shoulder and cinched at the waist. Over this, he might wear a himation, a heavier wool cloak, in a muted color like grey or blue, signifying his status as a public figure.
Wants: To awaken his fellow Athenians to the danger threatening their city and inspire them to action.
Flaw: His initial inability to connect with his audience through direct, logical appeals, leading to frustration.
He learns that direct, logical appeals are not always effective, and that sometimes a more indirect, engaging method (like storytelling) is necessary to move people to action.
Passionate, determined, frustrated, adaptable, clever.
The Athenian Assembly
A diverse group of men, representing various ages and social strata within Athenian society. They are generally of average height and build, with typical Greek features.
Attire: They wear simple chitons and himations, mostly in muted colors like white, cream, grey, and earthy tones, reflecting the attire of ordinary Athenian citizens attending a public assembly.
Wants: To be entertained or to follow whatever captures their immediate attention.
Flaw: Their short attention span and susceptibility to trivial distractions over serious matters.
They transform from a distracted, indifferent crowd into an engaged and motivated audience, ready to listen to the orator's serious message.
Distracted, easily bored, frivolous, curious, easily swayed.
Ceres
A majestic and benevolent figure, embodying the fertility of the earth. She would appear strong and graceful, with a presence that commands respect.
Attire: She wears a flowing, classical Greek peplos or chiton, made of fine, cream-colored linen or silk, possibly embroidered with subtle patterns of leaves or grain. Her attire would be elegant and timeless, reflecting her divine status.
Wants: To travel and fulfill her divine duties, and later, to express her displeasure at human folly.
Flaw: Her patience can be tested by human triviality.
She serves as a narrative device to illustrate the orator's point about human distraction.
Benevolent, patient, but capable of swift anger when provoked or ignored.
The Eel
A long, slender, serpentine fish with smooth, dark, olive-green skin, capable of graceful movement through water.
Attire: Its natural skin.
Wants: To cross the river.
Flaw: Limited to aquatic environments.
Serves as an example of quick passage in the fable.
Resourceful, adaptable.
The Swallow
A small, agile bird with iridescent blue-black upperparts, reddish-brown throat and forehead, and a creamy white underside. Its tail is deeply forked.
Attire: Its natural plumage.
Wants: To cross the river.
Flaw: Vulnerable to predators, small in stature.
Serves as an example of quick passage in the fable.
Agile, quick, free-spirited.
Locations
Athenian Agora / Pnyx
A public assembly space in ancient Athens, likely the Pnyx, an open-air auditorium with a speaker's platform (bema) carved into the hillside, where citizens gathered. The atmosphere is initially distracted and indifferent.
Mood: Initially indifferent and chaotic, then suddenly attentive and engaged.
An orator attempts to warn the Athenians of danger, initially failing with serious rhetoric but succeeding by telling a fable, capturing their attention and swaying their opinion.