The Fable
| La Cigale, ayant chanté | The Cicada, having sung |
| Tout lété, | All summer, |
| Se trouva fort dépourvue | Was extremely deprived |
| Quand la bise fut venue: | When the north wind came: |
| Pas un seul petit morceau | Not one small piece |
| De mouche ou de vermisseau. | Of fly or small worm. |
| Elle alla crier famine | She went to plead famine |
| Chez la Fourmi sa voisine, | at the house of her neighbor the Ant, |
| La priant de lui prêter | Asking him to lend her |
| Quelque grain pour subsister | Some grain to survive |
| Jusquà la saison nouvelle. | Until the new season. |
| "Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle, | I will pay you, she says to him, |
| Avant lOût, foi danimal, | Before August, faith of animal, |
| Intérêt et principal." | interest and the principal" |
| La Fourmi nest pas prêteuse: | The Ant is not a lender: |
| Cest là son moindre défaut. | That is its least defect. |
| Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud? | What did you do in warm weather? |
| Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse. | He says to the borrower. |
| Je chantais, ne vous déplaise. | I sang, not displeasing to you. |
| Eh bien! Dansez maintenant. | Well! Dance now. |
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