The Joker and the Fishes book cover

The Joker and the Fishes

The Joker and the Fishes is a compelling collection of fables centered on the fascinating relationship, interplay, and implications between the cunning joker and the world of fishes. Inspired by French author Jean de La Fontaine's love for morality-driven storytelling, the book unravels various aspects of human nature, wit, wisdom, and societal norms, with the joker and fishes exemplifying different human characters and situations.


Year:
1668
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Submitted by davidb on September 28, 2023


								
He's vastly popular, your "Funny Man;" For my part I avoid him when I can. I generally find him rather hollow;-- The joker's is no easy art to follow. I think sarcastic people were created For fools to grin at, when exhilarated. Let me present one at a dinner-table, To point a moral and adorn a fable. A wag, dining out at a banker's, one day, Had some very small fishes put near him. He saw there were finer ones farther away, So, pretending the fishes could hear him, He mutter'd some words to the poor little creatures, And feign'd to receive their replies. It was done with such grave and unchangeable features, That people all opened their eyes. Then he said that some very particular friend Was en route for the Indies, or thereabouts; And he feared he might come to a watery end, So he wanted some hints of his whereabouts. "The fishes had answered," he added, politely, "That they were too young to reply; But they fancied their fathers could answer him rightly, Should one of them chance to be by." To say that the company relished the jest, Or the jester, is more than I'm able; But it answered his end, for they gave him the best Of the fishes that lay on the table. 'Twas a monster that might have related him stories As much as a century old; Long tales of the sea, of its perils and glories, As wondrous as ever were told.
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Jean de La Fontaine

Jean de La Fontaine was a renowned French fabulist and one of the most famous poets during the French classical period. He was born on July 8, 1621, and died on April 13, 1695. Known for his literary style, he is best known for his "Fables", which are considered classics of French literature. His works were marked by his sophisticated style and moral substance, and his fables provided a scathing critique of French society during his time. more…

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