ÉPILOGUE
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
Hello! I am a poet. I write stories. My stories are about small friends. They are little animals. They live in nature.
I tell stories. My stories are about small friends. I made them talk. I listened to nature. Nature has many voices. I heard the wind whisper. I heard the leaves rustle. I wrote down their words. I made my fables. These are my special stories.
I listened to birds. I listened to foxes. I listened to little mice. They were in my stories. I made them act. I made them talk. They had adventures. All things have a voice. The world has many voices. I heard them all. I tried to understand.
My stories are not perfect. I tried my best. I worked very hard. Maybe they are not true. Maybe they are not the best. Other people can tell them better. This is okay. I am happy with my effort.
I am happy. I started these stories. I made a path. It is a good path. Other tellers can walk on it. They can tell more stories. They can follow my steps. I opened the way for them.
Other tellers can help. They can write more stories. They can add new ideas. They can make them better. The stories can grow. They can teach new lessons. I might have missed some. They can finish my work. This makes me glad.
Now I think of The King. I wrote my simple stories. The King did big things. He did good things for our country. He built new places. He built many roads. He helped many people. He made their lives better. He had great plans. He worked very hard. He did many noble projects. He made our land strong. He guided our nation. He made good rules for all. He cared for everyone. He made our country safe.
The King's good deeds are big. People will think of them. They will think of them always. These are big stories. Other tellers can tell them. They are great stories. They will last always. His actions are important. The King's work is strong. It is a good lesson for all. Other poets can tell his story. They can share his wisdom.
The King does big, good things. People will think of him. Other tellers can tell his stories too. His stories are very grand. My small friend stories are just a start! They are little tales.
Original Story
ÉPILOGUE
C’est ainsi que ma muse, au bord d’une onde pure,
Traduisoit en langue des dieux
Tout ce que disent sous les cieux
Tant d’êtres empruntant la voix de la nature.
Truchement de peuples divers,
Je les faisois servir d’acteurs en mon ouvrage;
Car tout parle dans l’univers;
Il n’est rien qui n’ait son langage.
Plus éloquents chez eux qu’ils ne sont dans mes vers,
Si ceux que j’introduis me trouvent peu fidèle,
Si mon œuvre n’est pas un assez bon modèle,
J’ai du moins ouvert le chemin:
D’autres pourront y mettre une dernière main.
Favoris des neuf Sœurs, achevez l’entreprise:
Donnez mainte leçon que j’ai sans doute omise;
Sous ces inventions il faut l’envelopper.
Mais vous n’avez que trop de quoi vous occuper:
Pendant le doux emploi de ma muse innocente,
Louis dompte l’Europe, et, d’une main puissante,
Il conduit à leur fin les plus nobles projets
Qu’ait jamais formés un monarque.
Favoris des neuf Sœurs, ce sont là des sujets
Vainqueurs du Temps et de la Parque.
FIN DU LIVRE ONZIÈME.
A
Story DNA
Moral
The poet humbly acknowledges his role in interpreting nature's voice and encourages others to perfect his work, while also praising the contemporary achievements of his monarch.
Plot Summary
The poet, in an epilogue, reflects on his fables, explaining how he gave voice to nature's creatures. He humbly suggests his work might be imperfect and encourages other poets to refine his foundation. He then pivots to praise King Louis XIV's powerful conquests and noble projects, implying these grand deeds are more significant and enduring subjects for poetry than his own humble fables.
Themes
Emotional Arc
contemplation to admiration
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Jean de La Fontaine was a prominent French fabulist of the 17th century, known for his Fables. This epilogue reflects the common practice of dedicating works to or praising powerful patrons like King Louis XIV, who was a dominant figure in European politics and culture during this period.
Plot Beats (7)
- The poet, in the first person, reflects on his work of translating the voices of nature into fables.
- He explains that he made various creatures act as characters in his work, believing that everything in the universe has its own language.
- He humbly admits that his interpretations might not be perfectly faithful or the best model.
- He asserts that he has at least paved the way for others.
- He encourages other poets, 'favorites of the nine Muses,' to complete his enterprise and add lessons he might have missed.
- He then abruptly shifts focus, noting that while his muse was innocently engaged, King Louis XIV was conquering Europe and achieving noble projects.
- He concludes by stating that Louis XIV's deeds are subjects that will triumph over Time and Fate, more fitting for the Muses' favorites.
Characters
La Fontaine (The Poet)
A man of average height and build, likely in his middle to later years, with the gentle wear of a life spent in contemplation and writing. His posture might be slightly stooped from long hours at a desk, but with an underlying dignity.
Attire: Modest but respectable 17th-century French attire, such as a dark wool doublet over a white linen shirt, possibly with a simple cravat. His breeches would be practical, and he might wear low leather shoes. Nothing ostentatious, reflecting his focus on intellectual pursuits rather than courtly display.
Wants: To interpret and give voice to the natural world, to share moral lessons through fables, and to inspire future poets.
Flaw: Self-deprecating, perhaps overly modest about his own contributions, believing others can always improve upon his work.
In this epilogue, he reflects on his completed work, acknowledging its limitations while also asserting its foundational importance, showing a shift from creation to reflection and legacy.
Humble, observant, creative, reflective, dedicated.
Louis (King Louis XIV)
A powerful and imposing figure, likely in his prime, embodying the grandeur and authority of a monarch. Tall and well-built, with a commanding presence.
Attire: Exquisitely rich 17th-century French court attire, such as a heavily embroidered silk justaucorps (long coat) in deep blues or reds, adorned with gold lace and buttons, worn over a white lace-trimmed jabot and cuffs. He would wear breeches and high-heeled shoes with buckles, possibly a sword at his hip, and a royal sash.
Wants: To expand and consolidate the power of France and his monarchy, to achieve glorious victories, and to leave a lasting legacy as a great ruler.
Flaw: Perhaps an overreliance on military might and conquest, potentially leading to prolonged conflicts.
He is presented as a constant, powerful force, actively shaping the political landscape of Europe, serving as a contrast to the poet's more contemplative pursuits.
Dominant, ambitious, powerful, strategic, resolute.
Locations
Bord d'une onde pure
The edge of a clear, pure body of water, likely a stream or river, where the muse translates the voices of nature.
Mood: Serene, contemplative, inspiring, natural.
The muse's creative process of translating nature's voices into fables takes place here.