The Acorn And The Pumpkin (Prose Fable)

By Jean de La Fontaine

    What God does is done well. Without going round the world to seek a proof of that, I can find one in the pumpkin.     A villager was once struck with the largeness of a pumpkin and the thinness of the stem upon which it grew. "What could the Almighty have been thinking about?" he cried. "He has certainly chosen a bad place for a pumpkin to grow. Eh zounds! Now I would have hung it on one of these oaks. That would have been just as it should be. Like fruit, like tree! What a pity, Hodge," said he, addressing himself, "that you were not on the spot to give advice at the Creation which the parson preaches about. Everything would have been properly done then. For instance; wouldn't this acorn, no bigger than my little finger, be better hanging on this frail stem? The Almighty has blundered there surely! The more I think about these fruits and their situations, the more it seems to me that it is all a mistake."     Becoming worried by so much reflection our Hodge cast himself under an oak saying, "A man can't sleep when he has so much brain." Then he at once dropped off into a nap.     Presently an acorn fell plump upon his nose. Starting from sleep, he put his hand up to see what had happened and found the acorn caught in his beard, whilst his nose began to pain and bleed. "Oh, oh!" he cried, "I am bleeding. How would it have been if a heavier mass than this had fallen from the tree: if this acorn had been a pumpkin? The Almighty did not intend that, I see. Doubtless he was right. I understand the reason why perfectly now."     So praising God for all things Hodge took his way home.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem navigates the theme of divine wisdom and human ignorance, employing a light-hearted tone to convey a profound message. The protagonist, Hodge, questions God's design, specifically with regards to the placement of a pumpkin on a thin stem and an acorn on a sturdy oak. This signifies humanity's tendency to question divine intelligence based on surface-level observations and limited understanding.

The narrative structure of the poem allows for a natural evolution of Hodge's understanding. Initially, he is confident in his own wisdom, boldly declaring that he could have advised God better in the creation. However, an encounter with a falling acorn disrupts his hubris and leads him to a revelation. This acorn, although small, causes him pain - a realization that triggers an epiphany about the logic behind divine design. The acorn's fall symbolizes a divine intervention that corrects Hodge's arrogance and brings him to a higher understanding.

Irony is employed as a key literary device, as Hodge's initial arrogance is juxtaposed against his eventual realization. This serves to highlight the folly of human presumptions about divine wisdom. The poem underscores the idea that the divine plan, although not always immediately comprehensible, is inherently perfect and far beyond human critique or alteration. The poem ends with Hodge acknowledging God's wisdom, a resolution that reinforces the theme of divine wisdom triumphing over human ignorance.

Understanding Fables

A fable is a timeless form of storytelling, typically featuring animals as characters that embody human traits, all while conveying a moral lesson. These short narratives have been used throughout history to impart wisdom, offering insights that remain relevant across generations.


Fables stand out for their simplicity and clarity, often concluding with a lesson that is easy to understand and remember. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Animal Characters: The main characters are often animals that represent human behaviors and characteristics, making the stories both engaging and relatable.
  • Concise Narrative: Fables are brief and focused, with each story centering around a single event or interaction that leads to a moral conclusion.
  • Moral Lesson: The purpose of a fable is to teach a lesson, which is usually stated clearly at the end, offering practical advice or ethical guidance.

From Aesop's ancient tales to modern adaptations, fables continue to be a powerful tool for education and moral reflection, resonating with audiences of all ages.