LES LAPINS
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
Have you ever watched animals? The story man watched. He learned about people.
The story man thinks people are like animals. He sees this often. People and animals are at times the same.
I went to a field. It was near some trees. I climbed up a big tree. I hid there to watch. I wanted to see the rabbits. They played in the green grass. They ate sweet plants.
Then I made a loud noise. It was a big sound. The rabbits heard it. They got very scared. Their ears went up. They ran away fast. They ran to their homes. Their homes are under the ground. All the rabbits hid there.
But soon, the rabbits forgot the noise. Their big fear went away. This happened very fast. They came out again. They played in the grass. They ate plants again. They were happy once more. They seemed even gayer now. They hopped and jumped.
I thought about the rabbits. People are like the rabbits. They forget bad things quickly. A big storm comes. It makes people scared. But then the storm goes away. People feel safe again. They go back to their old ways.
I saw some dogs. These dogs lived in one place. Other dogs came. The first dogs barked. They chased the new dogs away. They did not want new dogs there.
The story man says: 'People are like dogs. New people come. People can be mean. They want to keep all things. They do not share.'
The story man says: 'I have more stories. But I will stop now.'
So, this story teaches us. People at times forget bad things fast. They want to keep good things. Just like animals do.
Original Story
LES LAPINS.
DISCOURS A M. LE DUC DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.
Je me suis souvent dit, voyant de quelle sorte
L’homme agit, et qu’il se comporte
En mille occasions comme les animaux:
Le roi de ces gens-là n’a pas moins de défauts
Que ses sujets: et la Nature
A mis dans chaque créature
Quelque grain d’une masse où puisent les esprits:
J’entends les esprits-corps et pétris de matière.
Je vais prouver ce que je dis.
A l’heure de l’affût, soit lorsque la lumière
Précipite ses traits dans l’humide séjour,
Soit lorsque le soleil rentre dans sa carrière,
Et que, n’étant plus nuit, il n’est pas encor jour,
Au bord de quelque bois sur un arbre je grimpe,
Et, nouveau Jupiter, du haut de cet Olympe,
Je foudroie à discrétion
Un lapin qui n’y pensoit guère.
Je vois fuir aussitôt toute la nation
Des lapins qui, sur la bruyère,
L’œil éveillé, l’oreille au guet,
S’égayoient, et de thym parfumoient leur banquet.
Le bruit du coup fait que la bande
S’en va chercher sa sûreté
Dans la souterraine cité;
Mais le danger s’oublie, et cette peur si grande
S’évanouit bientôt: je revois les lapins,
Plus gais qu’auparavant, revenir sous mes mains.
Ne reconnoît-on pas en cela les humains?
Dispersés par quelque orage,
A peine ils touchent le port,
Qu’ils vont hasarder encor
Même vent, même naufrage:
Vrais lapins, on les revoit
Sous les mains de la Fortune.
Joignons à cet exemple une chose commune.
Quand des chiens étrangers passent par quelque endroit
Qui n’est pas de leur détroit[70],
Je laisse à penser quelle fête!
Les chiens du lieu, n’ayant en tête
Qu’un intérêt de gueule, à cris, à coups de dents
Vous accompagnent ces passants
Jusqu’aux confins du territoire.
Un intérêt de bien, de grandeur et de gloire,
Aux gouverneurs d’États, à certains courtisans,
A gens de tous métiers, en fait tout autant faire.
On nous voit tous, pour l’ordinaire,
Piller le surveillant, nous jeter sur sa peau.
La coquette et l’auteur sont de ce caractère:
Malheur à l’écrivain nouveau!
Le moins de gens qu’on peut à l’entour du gâteau,
C’est le droit du jeu, c’est l’affaire.
Cent exemples pourroient appuyer mon discours;
Mais les ouvrages les plus courts
Sont toujours les meilleurs. En cela j’ai pour guide
Tous les maîtres de l’art, et tiens qu’il faut laisser
Dans les plus beaux sujets quelque chose à penser:
Ainsi ce discours doit cesser.
Vous qui m’avez donné ce qu’il a de solide,
Et dont la modestie égale la grandeur,
Qui ne pûtes jamais écouter sans pudeur
La louange la plus permise,
La plus juste et la mieux acquise;
Vous enfin, dont à peine ai-je encore obtenu
Que votre nom reçût ici quelques hommages,
Du temps et des censeurs défendant mes ouvrages,
Comme un nom qui, des ans et des peuples connu,
Fait honneur à la France, en grands noms plus féconde
Qu’aucun climat de l’univers,
Permettez-moi du moins d’apprendre à tout le monde
Que vous m’avez donné le sujet de ces vers.
XVI
Story DNA
Moral
Humans, like animals, often repeat their mistakes and act out of self-interest, forgetting past dangers and aggressively defending their perceived territory or resources.
Plot Summary
The narrator begins by stating his belief that human behavior often mirrors that of animals. He illustrates this by describing how he shoots a rabbit, causing the others to flee in terror, only for them to quickly forget the danger and return to their activities. He then draws a direct parallel to humans, who, after facing a crisis, soon forget the peril and repeat their mistakes. The narrator further supports his argument with the example of local dogs aggressively chasing away any foreign dogs, likening this territoriality and self-interest to how humans in various professions protect their own 'cake' or resources from newcomers. He concludes by affirming the universality of these human flaws, dedicating his concise discourse to M. le Duc de La Rochefoucauld.
Themes
Emotional Arc
observation to critical reflection
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Jean de La Fontaine was a prominent French fabulist, known for his fables that often satirized society and human foibles. The dedication to the Duc de La Rochefoucauld is significant, as La Rochefoucauld was also a moralist known for his maxims on human nature.
Plot Beats (10)
- The narrator states his belief that humans behave like animals and intends to prove it.
- The narrator describes climbing a tree at dawn or dusk to hunt rabbits.
- He shoots one rabbit, causing the entire group to scatter in fear to their burrows.
- Soon after, the rabbits forget the danger and return, more joyful than before.
- The narrator points out that humans behave similarly, quickly forgetting past dangers and returning to risky situations.
- He introduces a second example: local dogs fiercely attacking any foreign dogs that enter their territory.
- The narrator compares this to humans in power, courtiers, and people of all trades who 'pillage' and attack newcomers or rivals to protect their own interests.
- He specifically mentions coquettes and authors, noting the common desire to have fewer people around the 'cake' (resources/fame).
- The narrator asserts that many examples could support his argument but values brevity in his work.
- He concludes his discourse, dedicating it to M. le Duc de La Rochefoucauld, acknowledging him as the source of the poem's substance and praising his modesty and greatness.
Characters
The Poet (Narrator)
A man of average build, likely in his middle years, with a keen observational gaze. His posture would be one of quiet contemplation, perhaps a bit hunched when observing, but otherwise upright.
Attire: Simple, practical 17th-century French attire suitable for a man of letters or a gentleman in the countryside. Perhaps a dark wool doublet over a linen shirt, simple breeches, and sturdy leather boots. No elaborate lace or embroidery, reflecting a focus on observation rather than display.
Wants: To understand and comment on human nature by drawing parallels with animal behavior; to offer moral lessons through fables.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency towards generalization about human flaws; a detachment that allows him to observe suffering without direct intervention.
The story is a reflection of his ongoing philosophical arc, reinforcing his established views on human nature rather than undergoing a personal transformation.
Philosophical, observant, cynical (about human nature), witty, reflective.
The Rabbits (Nation of Rabbits)
Small, agile creatures with soft, dense fur, typically grey-brown, with powerful hind legs for quick escapes. They have twitching noses and large, expressive eyes.
Attire: None, natural fur coat.
Wants: Survival, finding food, enjoying simple pleasures, seeking safety.
Flaw: Short memory for danger, leading to repeated exposure to risk; easily panicked.
They demonstrate a cyclical pattern of fear, flight, forgetting, and returning to pleasure, serving as an analogy for human behavior rather than having an individual arc.
Skittish, easily startled, social (live in a 'nation'), forgetful of danger, pleasure-seeking (enjoying their banquet).
M. le Duc de La Rochefoucauld
A French nobleman of the 17th century, likely of distinguished bearing and refined appearance, consistent with his high social standing. He would carry himself with an air of quiet dignity and intellectual depth.
Attire: Elegant but not ostentatious 17th-century French court attire. Perhaps a dark velvet or silk doublet, finely tailored breeches, a lace cravat, and polished leather shoes. The quality of the fabric and tailoring would denote his status, but without excessive ornamentation, reflecting his philosophical nature.
Wants: To engage in intellectual pursuits, to govern or influence with wisdom, to maintain his reputation for integrity and modesty.
Flaw: His modesty, which makes him uncomfortable with praise, could be seen as a social constraint.
He serves as the esteemed recipient of the Poet's discourse, his character is static, representing an ideal audience and intellectual peer.
Modest (despite his greatness), intellectual, discerning, appreciative of philosophical discourse, influential.
Locations
Forest Edge with a Tall Tree
At the edge of a French forest, a tall, sturdy tree stands, providing a vantage point for observation. The ground beneath is covered with heather and wild thyme, suggesting a dry, open area bordering denser woods.
Mood: Initially peaceful and natural, transitioning to sudden alarm and then a return to cautious tranquility.
The narrator climbs the tree to observe the rabbits and shoots one, causing the others to flee.
Underground Rabbit City
A complex network of burrows and tunnels beneath the heather-covered ground, serving as a refuge for the rabbits. It is a 'subterranean city' where they seek safety.
Mood: Safe, hidden, and secure, a place of temporary escape from danger.
The rabbits flee here for safety after the shot, but soon forget the danger and re-emerge.