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LiteratureEasy

La Fontaine's Fables: Morals and Animals

The crow's cheese, the fox's flattery, and the moral of The Lion and the Rat ("We often need someone smaller than ourselves"): rediscover the details La Fontaine slipped in between 1668 and 1694 under Louis XIV.

10

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The 10 quiz questions

Question 1 : In "The Fox and the Crow", what does the Crow hold in its beak?

Possible answers:

  • A walnut
  • A cheese
  • A piece of bread
  • A cherry

Explanation: The Crow holds a cheese that the Fox covets. Through flattery, the Fox makes the Crow sing, causing it to drop the cheese.

Question 2 : What does the Grasshopper do all summer in "The Grasshopper and the Ant"?

Possible answers:

  • She dances
  • She travels
  • She sleeps
  • She sings

Explanation: The Grasshopper sings all summer instead of working, while the Ant stores provisions. When winter comes, the Grasshopper is left with nothing.

Question 3 : In "The Tortoise and the Hare", who wins the race?

Possible answers:

  • The Hare
  • They tie
  • Neither
  • The Tortoise

Explanation: The Tortoise wins because the Hare, overconfident, stops to sleep. The moral: "Slow and steady wins the race."

Question 4 : In which century did Jean de La Fontaine live and write his fables?

Possible answers:

  • 15th century
  • 16th century
  • 17th century
  • 18th century

Explanation: Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) lived in the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. His Fables were published between 1668 and 1694.

Question 5 : In "The Lion and the Mouse", what does the Mouse do to save the Lion?

Possible answers:

  • He calls for help
  • He gnaws through the net
  • He scares the hunters
  • He digs a tunnel

Explanation: The Mouse gnaws through the net trapping the Lion. This fable teaches that the small can help the great: "Little friends may prove great friends."

Question 6 : Which animal wants to make itself as big as an Ox in a famous fable?

Possible answers:

  • The Frog
  • The Lizard
  • The Mouse
  • The Toad

Explanation: In "The Frog Who Wished to Be as Big as an Ox", the frog inflates so much it bursts. A moral against vanity and envy.

Question 7 : Which Greek fabulist inspired Jean de La Fontaine for many of his fables?

Possible answers:

  • Aesop
  • Aristophanes
  • Sophocles
  • Homer

Explanation: Aesop, a Greek fabulist from the 6th century BC, is La Fontaine's main source of inspiration, who adapted and enriched his stories.

Question 8 : What is the moral of "The Fox and the Crow"?

Possible answers:

  • Beware of flatterers
  • Unity is strength
  • Slow and steady wins the race
  • Cunning is better than strength

Explanation: The moral "Every flatterer lives at the expense of those who listen" warns against flattery and the vanity that blinds us.

Question 9 : In "The Wolf and the Lamb", what reason does the Wolf give for eating the Lamb?

Possible answers:

  • The Lamb insulted him
  • The Lamb made noise
  • The Lamb is muddying his water
  • The Lamb stole his food

Explanation: The Wolf accuses the Lamb of muddying its water, but it's just a pretext. The moral: "Might makes right."

Question 10 : How many books make up the complete Fables of La Fontaine?

Possible answers:

  • 6 books
  • 10 books
  • 12 books
  • 15 books

Explanation: La Fontaine's Fables are divided into 12 books, published in three collections between 1668 and 1694, totaling 243 fables.

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