In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about,
chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along
with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.
"Why not come and chat with
me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that
way?"
"I am helping to lay up food
for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the
same."
"Why bother about
winter?" said the Grasshopper; "We have got plenty of food at
present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.
When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found
itself dying of hunger - while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and
grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper
knew: It is best to prepare for days of
