The Wolf Pleading Against the Fox Before the Ape

"The Wolf Pleading Against the Fox Before the Ape" is one of Jean de La Fontaine's celebrated fables, translated into English for a global audience. This story features a disagreement between a wolf and a fox, and they seek judgment from an ape. Symbolic of human society, the fable explores themes of deceit, corruption, and the misuse of power, reflecting La Fontaine's critique on political systems of his time. It gives readers a chance to reflect on moral values and human behavior through the eyes of these vividly articulated animals.

• Fable

								
A Wolf who'd suffered from a thief,
    His ill-conditioned neighbour Mr. Fox
Brought up (and falsely, that is my belief)
    Before the Ape, to fill the prisoner's box.
The plaintiff and defendant in this case
    Distract the place
With questions, answers, cries, and boisterous speeches,
    So angry each is.
In an Ape's memory no one saw
An action so entangled as to law.
Hot and perspiring was the judge's face,
He saw their malice, and, with gravity,
Decided thus:--"I know you well of old, my friends,
    Both must pay damages, I see;
You, Wolf, because you've brought a groundless charge:
You, Fox, because you stole from him; on that I'll not enlarge."

    The judge was right; it's no bad plan,
    To punish rascals how you can.
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