THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS

ONE fine day in winter some Ants were busy drying their store of corn, which had got rather damp during a long spell of rain. Presently up came a Grasshopper and begged them to spare her a few grains, “ For,” she said, “ I’m simply starving.” The Ants stopped work for a moment, though this was against their principles. “ May we ask,” said they, “ what you were doing with yourself all last summer? Why didn’t you collect a store of food for the winter? ” “ The fact is,” replied the Grasshopper, “ I was so busy singing that I hadn’t the time.” “ If you spent the summer singing,” replied the Ants, “ you can’t do better than spend the winter dancing.” And they chuckled and went on with their work.