Message de danbu posté le 2004-08-01 10:32:20 (S | E | F | I)
Au 6ème siècle AV. J.C. Esope a écrit des dizaines de fables dont s’est inspiré notre La Fontaine. En version anglaise, ces textes courts peuvent être, pour certains d’entre nous, un moyen amusant d’enrichir notre vocabulaire, de découvrir certaines tournures de phrases. Qu’en pensez vous ?

The bat and the weasels

A bat fell to the ground and was caught by a weasel, and was just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The weasel said he couldn’t do that beacause he was an ennemy of all bird on principle. “oh, but,” said the bat, “I’m not a bird at all : I’m a mouse.” “So you are,” said the weasel, “now I come to look at you” ; and he let it go. Some time after this, the bat was caught in just the same way by another weasel, and, as before, begged for it’s life. “no,” said the weasel, “I never let a mouse go by any chance.” “but I’m not a mouse,” said the bat; “I’m a bird.” “why, so you are,” said the weasel; and he too let the bat go.
Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

La Fontaine s'en est inspiré pour "La chauve-souris et les deux belettes"