Classics of French literature, the Fables de La Fontaine continue to work their magic on the imagination of both adults and children, for the power of their imagery, the relevance of their content, and the excellence of the language, which the French writer Flaubert himself admired.
The fable is a literary genre on the surface distinct from fairy tales. Both tell a story, but a fable is succinct, often in verse, and features natural or mythical creatures which are given human qualities, especially the ability to speak. The message and moral lesson they convey is generally immediately accessible. Thus, this format of storytelling proved very useful and effective in climates of repression when certain subjects might face censorship.
Here is one of the most famous fables of La Fontaine: ‘Le Corbeau et le Renard':
