There is a time for everything: a time to play and a time to work. This classic tale teaches us that hard work today is the key to comfort and security tomorrow.
The Ant Who Worked and the Grasshopper Who Sang
One warm summer's day, in a field full of flowers, a Grasshopper named Ferdinand was hopping, chirping, and playing his little violin to his heart's content. An Ant named Antony passed by, carrying with great effort a heavy golden kernel of corn, which he was taking to the ants' nest.
"Hey, Antony!" chirped the Grasshopper. "Why don't you come and chat with me for a while instead of working so hard all day? The day is beautiful for singing!"
"I am helping to store food for the cold winter," said the Ant, catching his breath, "and I recommend you do the same."
"Why worry about winter now?" said the Grasshopper with a laugh. "We have plenty of food at present, and the summer is long."
The Ant just shook his head and continued on his way with his hard work. But Ferdinand, the Grasshopper, continued to sing and play all summer long.
However, the days passed quickly, and winter came. A cold wind blew, and a white blanket of snow covered everything. Ferdinand the Grasshopper couldn't find anything to eat. He was starving and shivering from the cold.
From a distance, he saw the ants distributing corn and grain from their full stores that they had collected in the summer. With shame, Ferdinand knocked on the door of the anthill. Antony opened it.
"I'm dying of hunger," the Grasshopper begged in a weak voice. "Can you please spare me a little food?"
Antony looked at him and said sternly, "We spent all summer working hard, while you were just singing and playing." The Grasshopper felt deep regret. But the kind ant's heart softened. He gave him some grain and said, "We will help you this time, but remember: next summer, you must work to gather your own food."
Only then did the Grasshopper truly understand... You must work today to reap the benefits tomorrow.
🎯 Enrichment & Learning
Values and Lessons Learned
- The Importance of Planning Ahead: Hard work and preparation ensure our comfort and safety when we need it.
- A Time for Everything: There is a time for work and a time for play, and it is wise to balance them.
- Consequences of Laziness: The Grasshopper's laziness and neglect led to his suffering in the winter.
- Hard Work Pays Off: The Ant's toil in the summer resulted in food and warmth for his family in the winter.
Comprehension Questions
- What was the Grasshopper doing all summer?
- What was the Ant doing?
- What happened to the Grasshopper when winter came?
- How did the Ant help the Grasshopper in the end?
- What lesson did the Grasshopper learn?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Do you think it's important to have fun and relax like the Grasshopper? How can we find a good balance between work and play?
- Was it right for the Ant to share his food? Why or why not?
- If you were a friend of the Grasshopper, what would you have advised him during the summer?
Practical Application Questions
- What is something you can do today to prepare for something in the future (like studying for a test or saving your allowance)?
- How do you balance your homework (work) and your playtime?
- Think of a time you helped someone who hadn't prepared as well as you did.
🎨 Interactive Content
Fun Activities
- Seasons Calendar: Create a calendar for a year and draw activities for each season, making sure to include "work" (like cleaning) and "play" (like swimming).
- "Store the Food" Game: Use cotton balls as "food" and have players try to move them to a "nest" in a set amount of time.
- Contrast Drawing: Draw the difference between the colorful, sunny summer scene and the cold, white winter scene.