The Miller, his Son, and the Ass

Name: The Miller, his Son, and the Ass
Author: Jean de La Fontaine

Old Malherbe answers young Racan’s uncertainty about choosing a profession by telling of a miller and his son taking their ass to a fair to sell it. Wanting to keep the animal fresh, they tie its feet and carry it suspended, but onlookers laugh at them for making the ass’s riders carry it instead. The miller unties the ass and lets it walk, then makes his son ride while he follows on foot. Three merchants condemn the son for riding while his aged father walks, so the miller takes the son’s place on the ass. Three girls then ridicule the old man for riding while making the boy walk. Though he first answers their jest, repeated mockery persuades him to put his son behind him. Soon others accuse both riders of overburdening the weary ass and treating their faithful beast cruelly. Father and son dismount and allow the donkey to go alone. A further passer-by mocks them for walking while their ass is free, advising that the animal be set in gold. The miller finally recognizes that he, his son, and the ass have all been made foolish by conflicting advice. He resolves to ignore such advisers and act as he himself sees fit. Malherbe applies the lesson to Racan: whatever course he chooses—army, love, court, town, country, marriage, religious life, riding, or walking—people will always criticize.

By Jean de La Fontaine · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Didactic Literature, Narrative Poetry · 1,434 words

First lines

To M. De Maucroix.[1]

[1]: In the original editions this fable is dedicated "A. M. D. M. " which initials stand for "To M. De Maucroix," Canon of Rheims, an early and late friend and patron of the poet. See Translator's Preface.

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The work is a concise traditional fable in which a simple journey involving a miller, his son, and an ass illustrates a practical moral: attempting to satisfy every critic is futile.
Didactic Literature — Its central purpose is instruction, using the miller's repeated changes of behavior to teach independence of judgment and resistance to public opinion.
Narrative Poetry — The story is told in rhymed verse, combining sequential action, dialogue, characterization, and a concluding lesson.
Moral Tale — The plot is structured around ethical and practical decision-making, ending with the explicit principle that people will criticize any choice.

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The Miller, his Son, and the Ass is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jean de La Fontaine, dated 1668 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Fable
Author: Jean de La Fontaine
Date: 1668 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Didactic Literature, Narrative Poetry, Moral Tale, Satire
Length: 1,434 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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