The Ant and the Grasshopper

On a warm, golden afternoon in late autumn, a colony of busy Ants scurried back and forth under the brilliant sunshine. They were gathering the last bits of grain and food they had stored all summer long. Their tiny legs moved swiftly as they carried the grains to their home, preparing for the long, cold winter ahead.

As they worked tirelessly, a Grasshopper appeared, dragging himself along the path with his fiddle tucked under his arm. He looked weak, his stomach rumbling with hunger, and his steps were heavy as if each one took all the energy he had left. He approached the Ants with a pleading look.

"Please, friends," the Grasshopper begged, "could you spare a little food? I’m starving, and winter is coming soon. I didn’t store anything for the cold months."

The Ants, surprised by his words, paused in their work and looked at him in disbelief. One of the older, wiser Ants stepped forward and asked, "Why haven’t you stored any food for the winter? What in the world were you doing all summer?"

The Grasshopper shifted uncomfortably and fiddled with his instrument. "I was so busy making music, dancing in the fields, and enjoying the sunshine," he explained, his voice growing smaller. "I thought summer would last forever, and before I knew it, it was gone."

The Ants, who had spent the entire summer diligently gathering food, could hardly believe their ears. They exchanged glances, their antennae twitching with disapproval. The older Ant shook his head and replied sternly, "Making music, were you? While we worked, you played."

The Grasshopper lowered his head, knowing he had been foolish, but he still hoped the Ants would take pity on him.

"But surely, you can share a little with me?" he asked, his eyes wide with desperation.

The Ants shrugged in frustration and shook their heads. "If you spent your summer singing and dancing," one of them said, "then you’ll have to spend your winter dancing too. We have worked hard, and what we’ve gathered is just enough for our own needs."

The Grasshopper, now fully realizing the weight of his mistake, watched helplessly as the Ants turned their backs on him and returned to their work, not wasting another moment. They knew that winter was fast approaching, and there was no more time to waste.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the field, the Grasshopper sat alone, shivering in the crisp autumn air. He gazed at the Ants, who were disappearing into their cozy, well-stocked home, safe and ready for the cold season ahead.

And so, the Grasshopper learned a hard lesson: there’s a time for work and a time for play. Those who make the most of the sunny days are the ones who will survive the winter.