The Wolf and the Lamb

Well, why not start with a translation of a fable by La Fontaine? It bears mentioning that this is a prose translation of rhyming poetry (and also that there are already many translations of it).

The Wolf and the Lamb The reasoning of the strongest is always the best, a principle we shall soon demonstrate. A Lamb was quenching his thirst in the current of pure waters. There was a hungry Wolf seeking adventure and his hunger drew him to these parts. "Who dares to disturb my drinking?" the animal said, seething with rage. "You will pay for your temerity." "Sir," answered the Lamb, "please, do not be angry. Rather, please consider that I am drinking in the current, more than twenty steps from you, and consequently, there is no way I could disturb your drinking." "You're disturbing it," answered the cruel beast, "and I know that you cursed me last year." "How could I have done that if I had not yet been born?," answered the Lamb. "I am still nursing from my mother." "If it wasn't you, then it was your brother." "I have none." "Well, then, it was one your group, for you have no mercy for me: you, your shepherds, and your dogs. Someone told me -- I must have vengeance." There, deep in the forest, the Wolf takes him away and then eats him, all without any other sort of trial.

Le loup et l'agneau La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure: Nous l'allons montrer tout à l'heure. Un Agneau se désaltérait Dans le courant d'une onde pure. Un loup survient à jeun, qui cherchait aventure, Et que la faim en ces lieux attirait. «Qui te rend si hardi de troubler mon breuvage? Dit cet animal plein de rage: Tu seras châtié de ta témérité. --Sire, répond l'agneau, que Votre Majesté Ne se mette pas en colère; Mais plutôt qu'elle considère Que je me vas désaltérant Dans le courant, Plus de vingt pas au-dessous d'Elle; Et que par conséquent, en aucune façon Je ne puis troubler sa boisson. --Tu la troubles, reprit cette bête cruelle; Et je sais que de moi tu médis l'an passé. --Comment l'aurais-je fait si je n'étais pas né? Reprit l'agneau; je tette encor ma mère --Si ce n'est toi, c'est donc ton frère. --Je n'en ai point.--C'est donc l'un des tiens; Car vous ne m'épargnez guère, Vous, vos bergers et vos chiens. On me l'a dit: il faut que je me venge.» Là-dessus, au fond des forêts Le loup l'emporte et puis le mange, Sans autre forme de procès.