Jean de La Fontaine collected fables from a wide variety of sources, both Western and Eastern, and adapted them into French free verse. They were issued under the general title of Fables in several volumes from 1668 to 1694 and are considered classi...
Sang the summer time away. Pinched and poor the spendthrift grew, When the sour north-easter blew. In her larder not a scrap, Bread to taste, nor drink to lap. To the Ant, her neighbour, she Went to moan her penury, Praying for a loan of wheat, Just to make a loaf to eat, Till the sunshine came again. "All I say is fair and plain, I will pay you every grain, Principal and interest too, Before harvest, I tell you, On my honour—every pound, Ere a single sheaf is bound." The Ant's a very prudent friend, Never much disposed to lend; Virtues great and failings small, This her failing least of all. Quoth she, "How spent you the summer?" "Night and day, to each new comer I sang gaily, by your leave; Singing, singing, morn and eve." "You sang? I see it at a glance. Well, then, now's the time to dance."
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