John of 1621-1695: The Enigmatic Storyteller Step into the world of John, a rat who withdrew from the bustling chaos of society. Inspired by Jean de La Fontaine's fable, "The Rat that Withdrew from the World, " John found solace in solitude and embraced a simpler life. As we delve deeper into his tale, we encounter various illustrations depicting famous fables by Jean de La Fontaine. From "The Town Rat and the Field Rat" to "Le Diable de Papefiguiere" and "Le Remede, " these timeless stories captivated John's imagination and shaped his perspective on life. One particular illustration catches our eye - Gustave Dore's depiction of "The Wolf Became Shepherd. " This powerful image symbolizes transformation and reminds us that change is possible even in the most unlikely circumstances. Another artwork, titled "Le Triboulet, " reveals Pierre-Albert Douat Blas J. 's interpretation of Christian cross symbolism intertwined with La Fontaine's animalistic tales. It highlights themes such as laicisation, laicite, laiques lois - concepts that fascinated John throughout his journey. "The Torrent and the River" offers profound wisdom through its metaphorical narrative. Just like water flowing harmoniously together despite their differences, this fable teaches us about unity amidst diversity – a lesson close to John's heart. In pursuit of balance, John adhered to La Fontaine's principle: nothing too much. He understood that moderation was key to living a fulfilling life. This engraving captures the essence of this philosophy beautifully. A portrait painting immortalizes Jean de La Fontaine himself – an inspiration for countless storytellers like John who sought refuge in words woven with magic and meaning. Amongst these engravings lies one featuring "La Cicada et la Ant. " This classic tale serves as a reminder to embrace both leisure and hard work, finding harmony between the two.