Something a little different. “La Cigale et La Formi”, a reworking of one of Aesop’s Fables, was the first of Jean de La Fontaine’s Fables Choisies, published in 1668 to amuse and edify the French middle-class during the reign of Louis XIV. In it’s Disneyfied form — The Ant and the Grasshopper — it’s a straightforward morality tale of thrift versus dissipation; but the original version contains considerably more ambiguous questions on the value of art and the meaning of charity.
“La Cigale” translates as “cicada”, through it’s traditionally rendered as “grasshopper”. I have retained the original meaning.
The Cicada and the Ant
| Cicada sang summer away, Then in an unfortunate way She found herself when frost bit Without the leastest tidbit Of fly or worm. She cried hunger At her neighbour’s, Madame Ant. Cicada begged her to grant. A little wheat to sustain her Until the new season of summer. She cried, “On my creaturely oath, I will repay you in full both Principal and interest, Before August’s new harvest!” Now Madame Ant does not lend; Worse faults she may defend. She asked her supplicant and guest “In fair weather, how did you list?” “To all comers, I gave my song, Night and day, I sang: am I wrong?” “Sang all summer? I’m glad, and how! Very well then, you may dance now!” |
La Cigale, ayant chanté Tout l’été,Se trouva fort dépourvue Quand la bise fut venue. Pas un seul petit morceau De mouche ou de vermisseau. Elle alla crier famine Chez la fourmi sa voisine, La priant de lui prêter Quelque grain pour subsister Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle. « Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle, Avant l’oût, foi d’animal, Intérêt et principal. » La Fourmi n’est pas prêteuse ; C’est là son moindre défaut. « Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud ? Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse. –Nuit et jour à tout venant Je chantais, ne vous déplaise. –Vous chantiez ? j’en suis fort aise. Eh bien ! dansez maintenant. » |
— Jean de La Fontaine
trans. by TorontoEmerg, 20/07/10
