Mauzan illustrated numerous postcards with motifs from popular fables. Why fables? Most people are familiar with only the Aesop's name, so they automatically connect fables with Ancient Greece. The origin of fables is actually in Asia, in the area of today's India, where they were used as educational tools.

Each fable is characterized by simplicity and shortness, ending with a clear moral message in the end. This makes them different from fairy tales, which were created primarily for fun. As far as fables are concerned, France was not a pioneer. The world literature still owes a lot to Jean de La Fontaine who rewrote already-known fables adding freshness, actuality, and often surprising twists. Less known is the contribution of Jean-Piere Florian Cloris, whose originality deserves a special place among fable lovers.

Knowing all that we can't be surprised to find so many scenes from popular fables on postcards designed by Achille Lucien Mauzan. Most of them were published in series, but some were also made for special occasions, like New Year or St. Nicholas. We will present them one by one, with titles and morals.

The Acorn and the Pumpkin