Summary
Fables of La Fontaine, by Jean de La Fontaine, is a celebrated collection of short allegorical tales that use animals and personified objects to reflect on human nature, behavior, and society.
Inspired by Aesop and enriched with La Fontaine's own wit and poetic grace, these fables present timeless moral lessons through deceptively simple narratives.
Each fable—such as The Fox and the Grapes, The Ant and the Grasshopper, or The Wolf and the Lamb—offers a vivid and often satirical glimpse into the flaws and follies of humankind: vanity, greed, hypocrisy, injustice, and blind ambition.
But beyond their instructional purpose, La Fontaine’s tales also entertain, drawing readers in with lyrical verse, sharp irony, and universal truths.
This New Edition with Notes provides historical context, literary commentary, and interpretative insights, making it not only a literary treasure but also a valuable resource for understanding the philosophical and social underpinnings of 17th-century France.
Whether read for enjoyment or study, Fables of La Fontaine remains a brilliant testament to the enduring power of storytelling as a vehicle for wisdom.