Sunday, April 1, 2012

Book No. 1.


The first book in our "L" section is a fable by the 17th century French poet La Fontaine. Admittedly, I know absolutely nothing about La Fontaine, but I'm catching on quickly. He adapted many well-known fables from the likes of Aesop, Babrius, and Phaedrus, and originally intended the adaptations for a sophisticated audience, though they quickly become popular with children. 
Even in the English translation, La Fontaine's words are poetic!

In publishing his collected works, La Fontaine expressed his intent to give [children] "an attraction to useful lessons which are suited to their age [and] an aversion to the profane songs which are often put into their mouths and which only serve to corrupt their innocence."(cited)

Ha! Where can I get my hands on a copy of that book?!

- Matthew



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