Here are two stories that I have adapted from La Fontaine’s fables, using his style in some respects. La Fontaine based his stories on those written many centuries before by the Greek storyteller Aesop. These stories often have morals, and in some cases La Fontaine used these for political purposes.
I have written other adaptations of La Fontaine’s work including: The Banker and the Cobbler; Perie and the Milk Pot; the Sun and the Wind; and the Crow and the Fox.
The Wolf and the Stork
Wolves are ravenous greedy guts,
our wolf was just the same.
He always bolted down his food,
and gobbled without shame.
A bone got stuck far down his throat
so that he could not cry.
He was afraid and rightly so,
that bone could make him die.
He signaled to a passing stork.
She came, began the task,
extracting it with her long beak.
It’s then her turn to ask.
“Oh Wolf,” I’d like to say to you
give me a little pay.”
“You’re joking, woman,” said the wolf,
“I freed your neck today.
You stuck it down my hungry throat,
a careless thing to do.
Ungrateful bird, be off or else
I’ll end by gobbling you.”
The Tortoise and the Hare
Running is no earthly use,
this tale will clearly show.
Unless you’re up and leave on time
and have the oomph to go!
Miss Tortoise and our Mr Hare
once set out on a race.
“I think I’ll win,” Miss Tortoise said,
“I think I’ll get first place.”
“You’re barking mad,” said Mr Hare.
“Dear girl, you must be ill.
If you’re unwell, just think a bit,
you’d better take a pill.”
“Mad or not, I’ll have my bet,”
Miss Tortoise stamped her paw.
“OK, OK,” said Mr Hare,
“but I’ll get there before.”
Our Hare stretched out and dozed a bit.
Our Tortoise plodded past.
“I’ll eat and whistle down the wind,”
Hare said, “I won’t be last.”
Our Tortoise, stately, plodded on.
She hurried but was slow.
Such work for her it was this race,
the goal was far to go.
Our snooty hare’s pride, self-regard,
caused him to dawdle long.
A pity, for he left too late,
he simply got it wrong.
Aghast, he saw the very end,
Miss Tortoise almost there,
nearly at the winning post
the Tortoise, not the Hare!
Miss Tortoise cried “I got there first
even with my shell.
It’s heavy, but your speed’s no use.
I can run just as well!”
And here is the audio link if you want it
https://charlotteswonderfulstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/recording0352.mp3
Charlotte's Wonderful Stories 