Literature ana Art 



Lesson 



21 



THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER 



A Fable 



IN a grassy field one bright summer's day a 

 Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and 

 singing. An Ant passed by, bearing with great 

 difficulty a grain of wheat which he was taking to 

 his home. 



' ' Come and chat with me instead of toiling like 

 that," said the Grasshopper. 



"I can't," said the Ant; "I'm helping to lay 

 up food for the winter, and I advise you to do the 

 same." 



"Why trouble yourself about winter?" said the 

 Grasshopper. "Winter is a long way off and we 

 have plenty of food at present." 



But the Ant went on with his work. When the 

 winter came the Grasshopper had no food and 

 found himself dying of hunger, while the Ant had 

 an abundant store of grain which he had collected 

 during the summer. Then the Grasshopper thought : 

 "I have learned that it is best to prepare for the 

 days of need." 



