FABLES. 



307 



THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER. 



A commonwealth of Ants, having, after a busy 

 summer, provided every thing for their wants in 

 the winter, were about shutting themselves up for 

 that dreary season, when a Grasshopper in great 

 distress, and in dread of perishing with cold and 

 hunger, approached their avenues, and with great 

 humility begged they would relieve his wants, and 

 permit him to take shelter in any corner of their 

 comfortable mansion. One of the Ants asked him 

 how he had disposed of his time in summer, that 

 he had not taken pains and laid in a stock, as they 

 had done? Alas! my friends, says he, I passed 

 away the time merrily and pleasantly, in drinking, 

 singing, and dancing, and never once thought of 

 winter. If that be the case, replied the Ant, all I 

 have to say is this: that they who drink, sing, and 

 dance in the summer, run a great risk of starving 

 in the winter. 



