The Two Asses

by Jean de La Fontaine

Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Young Audiences
Setting: Fantasy
Format of Original Source: Fable
Recommended Adaptation Length: 10 Minutes

Candidate for Adaptation? Not Reviewed

EXCERPT:

Two asses tracking, t’other day,
Of which each in his turn,
Did incense to the other burn,
Quite in the usual way,–
I heard one to his comrade say,
“My lord, do you not find
The prince of knaves and fools
To be this man, who boasts of mind
Instructed in his schools?
With wit unseemly and profane,
He mocks our venerable race–
On each of his who lacketh brain
Bestows our ancient surname, ass!
And, with abusive tongue portraying,
Describes our laugh and talk as braying!
These bipeds of their folly tell us,
While thus pretending to excel us.”
“No, ’tis for you to speak, my friend,
And let their orators attend.

COMMENTS:

The translation is in verse; a head-start on lyrics.

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