le lion et le rat

Abstract

This is the fifth acquisition among the series of six. The pamphlet offers delightful cartoons, starting with the front-cover's contrast of the large lion in business suit and overcoat with the mouse in turtleneck and simple pants. First the fable is told in its entirety, with helpful vocabulary at the page bottom. Then we start putting the story into a context for today by taking a few lines at a time, creating a contemporary narrative, and giving these lines a two-page picture. Rodolphe, the "riche homme d'affaires," is being chauffeured through the city in his grand limousine as Miguel, the vagabond, tries to cross the road with his shopping cart and fast-food bag. Which of the two has more need of the other? The limo hits Miguel. Rodolphe takes Miguel into his limo, gives him a hot drink, and offers him a job. Miguel goes to work in Rodolphe's car wash. One afternoon, Rodolphe is on his way to the bank with the day's proceeds when he is robbed by a gang of elephants. Miguel responds to Rodolphe's cries for help. His shadow is so frightening that the robbers flee. Miguel now shares Rodolphe's desk, apparently as a partner in the firm. The last pages have plenty of good information about both animals and also good questions to ponder. I learned here that gerbils can be gluttonous.