Episode Details

The Fables of Ivan Krylov — Episode Twenty

Five fables by Ivan Krylov (1769–1844), in new English verse translations made for this show, read aloud over a gentle instrumental bed.

The Lion and the Mosquito (Лев и Комар, Book III, No. 9) — The Lion treats a Mosquito with dry disdain, and the tiny warrior declares war: trumpet, sting and all. He drinks the Lion's blood from the Lion's own brow while the whole forest trembles at the Lion's roar — until the king of beasts crashes to the ground and begs for peace. Krylov's opening moral warns you never to laugh at the powerless.

The Lion and the Mouse (Лев и Мышь, Book IX, No. 9) — A Mouse humbly asks leave to make her home in a hollow near the Lion, and dares to suggest that even she might one day be of use to him. The Lion drives her off in scorn — then falls into a hunter's snare, where all his strength and roaring are useless and his own haughtiness devours him. The closing proverb is the famous one: do not spit in the well.

The Lion and the Wolf (Лев и Волк, Book V, No. 14) — At the Lion's breakfast, a little Dog snatches a morsel from beneath his claws, and the King of Beasts lets it pass — she is young and foolish. The Wolf sees it and concludes the Lion cannot be strong at all, so he reaches for the lamb too. The Lion's answer makes the difference between a pup and a grown wolf very clear.

The Lion at the Hunt (Лев на ловле, Book IV, No. 16) — A Dog, a Lion, a Wolf and a Fox swear a solemn covenant: hunt together, and share everything equally. When the Fox catches a stag, the Lion tears it into four equal parts — and then explains, portion by portion, why every part is his. This is the fable that gave the world the phrase "the lion's share."

The Lion, the Chamois, and the Fox (Лев, Серна и Лиса, Book VIII, No. 2) — The Lion all but has the Chamois when she leaps a deep ravine and lands safe on the rock beyond. His friend the Fox knows just what to say — with his strength and lightness, surely he can jump it too. The Lion's blood boils, he leaps, and his dear friend holds his funeral feast in the ravine for a month.

Krylov Fables.

Intermission: "Tampa Across the Water" — instrumental.

KacheliTV — Russian classics, read aloud.