Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 10: The Dove and the Ant

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


An Ant who in a brook would drink

Fell off the bank. He tried

To swim, and felt his courage sink-

This ocean seemed so wide.

But for a dove who flew above

He would have drowned and died.



The friendly Dove within her beak

A bridge of grass-stem bore:

On this the Ant, though worn and weak.

Contrived to reach the shore

Said he: "The tact of this kind act

I'll cherish evermore."

Behold! A barefoot wretch went by

With slingshot in his hand.

Said he: "You'll make a pigeon pie

That will be kind of grand."

He meant to murder the gentle bird-

Who did not understand.



The Ant then stung him on the heel

(So quick to see the sling).

He turned his head, and missed a meal:

The pigeon pie took wing.

And so the Dove lived on to love-

Beloved by everything.

story image

    Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 10: The Dove and the Ant

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

A dove rescues an ant from drowning. Later, the ant rescues the dove from a man with a slingshot.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Pictures

  • Study the pictures and describe them in your own words.

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to the poem, narrate the poem events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 13 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, create artwork showing an ant biting a man's heel.
  • Use paints, crayons, pastels, Legos, blocks, or Play-Doh to create the artwork.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 5

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Dove and the Ant.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

A dove saves an ant. Later, the ant returns the favor.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place outside, near a brook.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

The dove, and ant, and the man.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

Help others and you may be helped in turn.
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Dove and the Ant.'
  2. What happens in the poem? A dove saves an ant. Later, the ant returns the favor.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place outside, near a brook.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? The dove, and ant, and the man.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? Help others and you may be helped in turn.