THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER

[318] OUT in the field one summer day an Ant was busy gathering grains of wheat and corn for his winter's store.

A Grasshopper who was chirping and singing to his heart's content saw the Ant and said:

"Why not come and chat with me instead of toiling all the day?"

"I am working to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and some time you will wish that you had laid away something also."

"Why think about the winter now," said the Grasshopper, "when we have plenty and to spare?"

But the Ant went on his way and continued to work all summer.

When it came winter the poor Grasshopper was almost dying with hunger, for the snow had come and covered up all his food. Sadly he came to the Ant and begged for something to eat, but the Ant said: "No. If you had worked in the summer, instead of playing all day, you would never have come to want."