The Two Friends book cover

The Two Friends

"The Two Friends" is a short story by Jean de La Fontaine that explores the themes of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. It tells the story of two close friends who go into the dangerous forest against the advice of others. When one of them is captured by a ferocious lion, the other bravely steps up to bargain with the lion and offers himself in his friend's stead. It highlights the depth of their friendship and to what extent they are willing to sacrifice for each other. The fable ultimately illustrates the idea that true friendship is stronger than any threat or danger.


Year:
1668
21 Views

Submitted by davidb on September 28, 2023


								
Two steadfast Friends lived once in Monomtàpa; They loved as if really they'd had the same pàpa: What one earned the other earned. Ah! for that land; It's worth ten such countries as ours, understand. One night, when a deep sleep had fallen on all, And the sun had gone off in the dark, beyond call, One of these worthy men, woke by a nightmare, Ran to his friend, in a shiver, and quite bare. The other at once takes his purse and his sword, Accosts his companion, and says, "'Pon my word You seldom are up when all other men snore; You make better use of the night than to pore Over books; but come, tell me, you're ruined at play, Or you have quarrelled with some one; now, speak out, I say. Here's my sword and my purse; or, if eager to rest On a fond wife's compassionate, fondling breast, Take this slave: she is fair." "No, no," said the other, "'Twas neither of these things that startled me, brother. Thanks, thanks for your zeal; 'twas a dream that I had: I saw you appear to me, looking so sad; I feared you were ill, and ran to you to see: 'Twas that dream, so detestable, brought me to thee." Which friend loved the most?--come, reader, speak out! The question is hard, and leaves matter for doubt. A true friend is choicest of treasures indeed; In the depths of your heart he will see what you need: He'll spare you the pain to disclose woes yourself, Indifferent to either his trouble or pelf: A dream, when he loves, or a trifle--mere air-- Will strike him with terror, lest danger be there.
Rate:0.0 / 0 votes

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…

All Jean de La Fontaine books

0 fans

Discuss this The Two Friends book with the community:

0 Comments

    Translation

    Translate and read this book in other languages:

    Select another language:

    • - Select -
    • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
    • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Esperanto (Esperanto)
    • 日本語 (Japanese)
    • Português (Portuguese)
    • Deutsch (German)
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • Français (French)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
    • 한국어 (Korean)
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Gaeilge (Irish)
    • Українська (Ukrainian)
    • اردو (Urdu)
    • Magyar (Hungarian)
    • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
    • Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • தமிழ் (Tamil)
    • Türkçe (Turkish)
    • తెలుగు (Telugu)
    • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
    • Čeština (Czech)
    • Polski (Polish)
    • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Românește (Romanian)
    • Nederlands (Dutch)
    • Ελληνικά (Greek)
    • Latinum (Latin)
    • Svenska (Swedish)
    • Dansk (Danish)
    • Suomi (Finnish)
    • فارسی (Persian)
    • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
    • հայերեն (Armenian)
    • Norsk (Norwegian)
    • English (English)

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this book to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Two Friends Books." Literature.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 11 Dec. 2024. <https://www.literature.com/book/the_two_friends_2615>.

    We need you!

    Help us build the largest authors community and books collection on the web!

    Winter 2025

    Writing Contest

    Join our short stories contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    months
    17
    days
    8
    hours

    Our favorite collection of

    Famous Authors

    »

    Quiz

    Are you a literary expert?

    »
    Who wrote "The Master and Margarita"?
    A Leo Tolstoy
    B Anton Chekhov
    C Mikhail Bulgakov
    D Boris Pasternak