The Story of Reynard the Fox

Author: M.H. Giraudoux
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Long, long ago, at the very moment a broken magic wand touched the water, a fiery-red animal was born—he was the clever fox, Reynard. The moment he was born, he tricked Eve into falling into the water. With the joy of his first victory, he embarked on a life of delighting in teasing others. He made his uncle, the gray wolf, spin in circles: losing his ham, his winter food, half his tail, and nearly losing his whole life. He was smarter than the cat Deb, snatching his sausage, breaking his tail, and even giving him a beating. The bears, sheep, and rabbits were no match for him either; he managed to trick every animal in the forest, big or small. Even the lion king, who had him tied to a tree twice, willingly appointed him as his minister of state. What is going on here? The Story of Reynard the Fox is an outstanding folk ballad that was widely known in medieval France. After its publication, several French poets wrote sequels to it, and translations or imitations of it appeared in Germany, England, Italy, and other countries. In modern times, many French and Western writers adapted it into prose, creating a vivid and delightful fairy tale that has gained popularity worldwide. This book is adapted from the fairy tale rewritten by M.H. Giraudoux, published in Paris in 1969. The Illustrated Picture Book Series of Classic World Literature with Phonetic Annotations is a carefully illustrated and edited series specially dedicated to young readers. Its illustrated format and standardized phonetic annotations, compliant with primary school teaching standards, fully meet the reading needs of elementary school students.