Fables Translating Fables into Verse

What are Fables?   

Fables are one type of folklore.  The were began as oral storytelling, often serving two purposes: entertainment and education.  Fables are short stories with moral or lessons.  The lessons may be stated at the beginning, middle, or the end of the tale.  Sometimes, they are less obvious.  The characters are usually animals, but they can also be objects (tree, sun) or people.  The plot is simple, the characters few, and the conflicts are usually limited to a single problem.  However, the meaning is very complex.  Beneath every fable is another story being told about the behavior of humans.  Let's read some fables to explore the hidden meaning and the lessons Aesop is teaching us.  Some fables are told in prose, like a story. Others are told in verse, a poem.  And some, like the panchatantra tales from India, are sometimes told in both prose and verse.

Writing Project

Read a variety fables from various fabulists: Aesop, Jean de La Fontaine, Ivan Krylov, and others.  Select one of your favorite fables to translate into a poem, as Jane Yolen did in her book A Sip of Aesop .  Keep in mind that every word counts when writing poetry.  Use a thesaurus and rhyming dictionary to help you pick the BEST word that retains the meaning.  Remember what you learned about poetry.  Some techniques that poets use to paint pictures with words are simile, metaphor, and personification.  Some sound devices that poets use to add music are alliteration, rhyme, and rhythm.  Be creative.  Have fun. 

When you are done writing, illustrate your fable and publish them on the web site.  If you finish early, create an audio recording of your fable to include with your publication.  A copy of the student handout is found at the bottom of this page.

Fable/Poem Student Handout (doc file)
The handout provides detail directions and a checklist for you to successfully complete your assignment. You may work with a partner, so be sure to give both poets and artists credit.

Rubric for Translating Fables (pdf file)
Use this rubric to grade how well you think you did in writing the fable.

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