Here is the short story “The Ant and the Grasshopper” by Aesop:
Once upon a time, in a sunny meadow, there lived an industrious ant and a carefree grasshopper. The ant was diligent and hardworking, always busy collecting food and preparing for the winter ahead. But the grasshopper, on the other hand, was a musician who loved to sing and dance all day long. He never worried about the future.
As the days grew shorter, and the chilly winds of autumn began to blow, the ant continued to toil, storing grains and seeds in his underground home. He knew that the cold winter months were approaching, and he needed enough food to survive.
The grasshopper, however, paid no attention to the changing seasons. He continued to sing and dance, mocking the ant for his constant labor. “Why work so hard, dear ant?” he would say. “The sun is shining, the days are warm, and there’s plenty of food around. Let’s enjoy the moment!”
But the ant, wise and focused, replied, “Winter is coming, my friend. If we do not prepare now, we will go hungry and suffer in the cold.”
Ignoring the ant’s warnings, the grasshopper continued his carefree life. He sang and danced as the days grew colder, and the food became scarce. When the first snowflakes fell, the grasshopper found himself hungry and shivering.
Desperate and regretful, the grasshopper approached the ant’s burrow and humbly asked, “Dear ant, could you spare some food to help me through the winter? I was foolish and did not prepare.”
The ant, although tempted to say, “I told you so,” took pity on his friend. He shared some of his hard-earned food with the hungry grasshopper, saying, “Learn from this experience, my friend. It’s always wise to plan for the future.”
Share With Your FriendsThe moral of the story is clear: It is better to be diligent and prepare for the future, even during the good times, rather than being careless and regretful when hardship strikes.
Daily Pedia Short Stories