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

Lesson 16: The Heron Who Was Hard to Please

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


A long-legged Heron, with long neck and beak,

Set out for a stroll by the bank of a creek.

So clear was the water that if you looked sharp

You could see the pike caper around with the carp.

The Heron might quickly have speared enough fish

To make for his dinner a capital dish.

But he was a very particular bird:

His food fixed "just so," at the hours he preferred.

And hence he decided 'twas better to wait,

Since his appetite grew when he supped rather late.

Pretty soon he was hungry, and stalked to the bank.

Where some pondfish were leaping-a fish of low rank.

"Bah, Bah!" said the Bird. "Sup on these? No-not I.

I'm known as a Heron: as such I live high."

Then some gudgeon swam past that were tempting to see,

But the Heron said haughtily: "No-not for me.

For those I'd not bother to open my beak,

If I had to hang 'round come next Friday a week."

Thus bragged the big Bird. But he's bound to confess

That he opened his elegant beak for much less.

Not another fish came. When he found all else fail,

He was happy to happen upon a fat snail.

story image

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

Lesson 16: The Heron Who Was Hard to Please

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 hungry stork goes fishing. He ignores the numerous fish swimming around, waiting for something better to swim along. Eventually the fish disappear, nothing better comes by, and he must settle for a snail.

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 19 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, sculpt fish of various colors and sizes out of Play-Doh.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 5

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Heron Who Was Hard to Please.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

A haughty stork ignores a bounty of fish, waiting for something better, and ends up with just a snail for dinner.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place on the banks of a creek.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

A stork, fish, and a snail.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

Cherish the current opportunities you have. Something better may never come along.
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Heron Who Was Hard to Please.'
  2. What happens in the poem? A haughty stork ignores a bounty of fish, waiting for something better, and ends up with just a snail for dinner.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place on the banks of a creek.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? A stork, fish, and a snail.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? Cherish the current opportunities you have. Something better may never come along.

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