About Curriculum

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

Lesson 18: The Miller, His Son, and the Ass

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


A Miller and Son once set out for the fair,

To sell a fine ass they had brought up with care;

And the way that they started made everyone stare.



To keep the Ass fresh, so the beast would sell dear

On a pole they slung him. It surely seemed queer:

He looked, with heels up, like some huge chandelier.



One person who passed them cried out in great glee.

"Was there anything ever so silly?" said he.

"Can you guess who the greatest Ass is of those three?"



The Miller at once put the brute on the ground;

And the Ass, who had liked to ride t'other way round,

Complained in language of curious sound.



No matter. The Miller now made his Son ride,

While he followed after or walked alongside.

Then up came three merchants. The eldest one cried;



"Get down there, young fellow! I never did see

Such manners:-a gray-beard walks where you should be.

He should ride, you should follow. Just take that from me!"



"Dear Sirs," quoth the Miller, "I'd see you content."

He climbed to the saddle; on foot the boy went...

Three girls passed. Said one: "Do you see that old Gent?

There he sits, like a bishop. I say it's a shame,

While that boy trudging after seems more than half lame."

"Little girl," said the Miller, "go back whence you came."



Yet this young creature so worked on his mind

That he wanted no woman to call him unkind:

And he said to his Son: "Seat yourself here-behind."



With the Ass bearing double they jogged on again,

And once more met a critic, who said: "It is plain

Only dunces would give their poor donkey such pain.



He will die with their weight: it's a shame and a sin.

For their faithful servant they care not a pin.

They'll have nothing to sell at the fair but his skin."



"Dear me!" said the Miller, "what am I to do?

Must I suit the whole world and the world's father, too?

Yet it must end some time-so I'll see the thing through."



Both Father and Son now decided to walk,

While the Ass marched in front with a strut and a stalk;

Yet the people who passed them continued to talk.



Said one to another: "Look there, if you please,

How they wear out their shoes, while their Ass takes his ease.

Were there ever, d'ye think, three such asses as these?"

Said the Miller: "You're right. I'm an Ass! It is true.

Too long have I listened to people like you.

But now I am done with the whole kit and crew.



"Let them blame me or praise me, keep silent or yell,

My goings and comings they cannot compel.

I will do as I please!"...So he did-and did well.

story image

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

Lesson 18: The Miller, His Son, and the Ass

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 miller and his son bring a donkey to market. They overreact and jump to follow the advice of all the people passing by, eventually realizing they should trust their own judgement.

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 21 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, create artwork that includes a donkey.
  • 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 Miller, His Son, and the Ass.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

A miller and his son bring a donkey to market. They jump to address the criticisms of all of the people passing by, eventually realizing there is no 'best' way to transport the donkey.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place on a road.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

The miller, his son, the donkey, and the people passing by.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

Everyone has an opinion. Sometimes it is best to ignore other people's opinions and trust your own judgement.
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Miller, His Son, and the Ass.'
  2. What happens in the poem? A miller and his son bring a donkey to market. They jump to address the criticisms of all of the people passing by, eventually realizing there is no 'best' way to transport the donkey.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place on a road.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? The miller, his son, the donkey, and the people passing by.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? Everyone has an opinion. Sometimes it is best to ignore other people's opinions and trust your own judgement.

Contact  Privacy Policy  Terms of Use © 2023 Under The Home Online Homeschool Curriculum
Contact      Privacy      Terms
youtube icon twitter icon pinterest icon facebook icon
© 2023 Under The Home