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

Lesson 9: The Lion and the Gnat

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


The Lion once said to the Gnat: "You brat,

Clear out just as quick as you can, now-s'cat!

If you meddle with me

I will not guarantee

That you won't be slammed perfectly flat-

D'ye see?"



Said the Gnat: "Because you're called King-you thing!-

You fancy that you will make me take wing.

Why, an ox weighs much more,

Yet I drive him before

When I get good and ready to sting.

Now, roar!"



Then loudly his trumpet he blew. And-whew!

How fiercely and fast at his foe he flew.

From the tail to the toes

He draws blood as he goes.

Then he starts in to sting and to chew

His nose.



Sir Lion was mad with the pain. In vain

He roared and he foamed and he shook his mane.

All the beasts that were nigh

Fled in fear from his cry.

But the Gnat only stung him again-

In the eye.



He looked and laughed as he saw-Haw, Haw!-

The Lion self-torn by his tooth and claw,

So His Majesty's hide

With his own blood was dyed.

Said the Gnat: "Shall I serve you up raw-

Or fried?"



It's finished. The Lion's loud roar is o'er.

He's bitten and beaten, he's sick and sore.

But a spider's web spread

Trapped the Gnat as he sped

With the news...He will never fight more-

He's dead!

story image

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

Lesson 9: The Lion and the Gnat

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 gnat mocks and stings a lion, turning the lion's strength against himself. The sassy gnat gets his comeuppance when he becomes entangled in a web and eaten by a spider.

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 12 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, create artwork showing a gnat caught in a spider's web.
  • 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 Lion and the Gnat.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

An arrogant gnat torments an arrogant lion, then is eaten by a spider.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place outside.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

The lion, the gnat, and the spider.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

Arrogance is always misplaced. No matter how smart, fast, strong, etc. you are, don't be overconfident. Realize there are always situations that may end in your downfall.
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Lion and the Gnat.'
  2. What happens in the poem? An arrogant gnat torments an arrogant lion, then is eaten by a spider.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place outside.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? The lion, the gnat, and the spider.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? Arrogance is always misplaced. No matter how smart, fast, strong, etc. you are, don't be overconfident. Realize there are always situations that may end in your downfall.