I haven’t heard of Charles Perrault, but I know I encountered Jean de La Fontaine somewhere in my readings. Anyway, if this is anything similar to Æsop’s Fables, this must be good. 

Commentary for ‘The Stag and the Owl’

No 1: a misdirection. Actually, readers/viewers would have already known that just through the title. But what if the title were ‘Untitled.’ The misdirection would have been very effective.

No 3: our two characters are quickly introduced. I hope the eggs did not break.

No 4: Sad if our Stag isn’t pursuing any mate. If this were a full-blown story, I would be curious if other stags have always beaten him of his choice mate.

No 5: Okay, a doe is instantly attracted to our Stag.

Regarding the battle scene, between two stags, it’s a bit confusing. Put a way to distinguish our Stag from other stags. For example, I capitalise the word stag into Stag to distinguish other stags. You can also add colour, say our stag to avoid confusion.

Wait, reading a few lines after, you’ve capitalised stag. I did not notice it immediately because it’s the first word of the sentence. Anyway, Owl’s eggs appearing here exemplifies Chekov’s Gun. I was worried earlier that the eggs would have been broken, but now they add some tension into the battle.

No 6: It is only now I realise that Owl’s nest has been in Stag’s antlers all along. So his problem of finding a mate doesn’t involve incompetence. Rather, it’s Owl and her nest/eggs. Of course, there are no human here to take the nest off, so tough luck.

No 7: Owl shows him the way towards his dream mate, all without killing another stag.

I assume our Owl here is female because she has eggs. The fable seems idealistic and one would think it’s probably written by a female. Males are made for competition, but females prefer harmony and cooperation.

But one can wish that things were different.

• • Enchanteur

    Sunday 11st August at 09:02
    

    Hello. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the beautiful pictures too.

    There is something mystical in this fable. Owl are often symbol of wisdom. Or here vision. It's like Owl had a premonition, seeing Stag would kill his opponent because he's too strong. By the way, I was thinking to add an Insert with this vision. So, it's not random event that Owl lays eggs during autumn (when Owls lay eggs during Spring normaly).

    Like a coincidence, or part of the vision, Owl knows Stag isn't a killer and would regret to kill for getting a doe. As a confirmation, Stag can't fight because he want to protect life and the eggs. As he's trapped, then Owl must find a way for Stag to mate at the end. 

    As an additional theme, the question: "if someone is really stronger, does he need to give proof of it?". For a fair competition, Stag would face another rival almost as strong as him. It makes me realize the rival stag deserves to get a doe too, because he was brave enough to enter a fight he's sure to loose. Alas, as a secondary character, we won't know his destiny. Owl should guide him to a fair fight as compensation. Or maybe Owl judged to be alive is enough. ^^

    Yes, characters have first letter in Cap, and not called "the Stag" but just "Stag". I was hesitating to change the names. For example Stagy and Owly. 

    Not really a misdirection at start, but just show the nature in autumn, a cute animal (who doesn't love squirrels?) and introducing the sounds of Stag coming. However, I was hesitant to change the title. Just I couldn't find another one. And also, in this kind of fables, the title is always the name of the animals, like "The crow and the fox". Then, I just chose that in the end.