What Is the Lesson of the Ant and Grasshopper Fable?
Aesop’s Fables are interesting for children that teaches them life lessons through familiar characters and situations. The stories were written by Aesop, a storyteller and slave, who lived in ancient Greece. His fables were first published in 1484 by William Caxton and they are still widely read and told. It is believed that Aesop wrote the fables for adult readers because it was mostly political satire but they later got popularised as children’s stories as they are so simple and easy to comprehend. All these stories have animal characters who act like humans and at some point of the story, these characters find themselves in a challenging situation or a problem. In the end of the story, the problem is solved and there is an important life lesson or a moral for the readers to learn.
We will take a look at one of Aesop’s most popular fables today – the ant and the grasshopper.
The Story of the Ant and the Grasshopper
Once upon a time, there lived an ant and a grasshopper in a grassy meadow near a river. Despite being a tiny creature, the ant was very hardworking and sincere. On one bright summer day, the ant began to gather her army to collect grains from the farmer’s field. The ant and her army worked hard day and night and carried heavy grains of food on their little backs. In a very short time, they managed to collect a lot of food for themselves. Check the ant and the grasshopper story with pictures pdf.
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The grasshopper on the other hand was busy singing and dancing all this while. He had plenty of food in store, so he stopped doing any work and spent all his time in leisure. One day he saw the ant who was carrying grains on her back and asked her - “Why are you working so hard, oh tiny little ant? Come with me and have as much fun as you want! We will dance, sing and eat a yummy meal, don’t you worry about tomorrow it is not a big deal.”
To which ant replied - “My dear grasshopper I need to worry and unlike you, I got to hurry. For when the sun will no longer shine, what will I do and where will I dine? You too listen and don’t waste another day, while the sun shines you better make hay!”
The grasshopper laughed at her and went back inside his house. The ant and her army continued doing their work and managed to collect enough food to last them through the winter season.
Time went by and seasons changed. First came autumn. The trees started to shed their leaves and the air became a little chilly. The ants were still on the lookout for any opportunity of collecting more food but the grasshopper who didn’t pay any heed to the ant’s wise advice was busy with his merrymaking.
Then came winter. The grassy meadows were covered in snow and with each passing day, the weather turned colder and colder. The ant and her army were living comfortably inside their house but the grasshopper was cold and hungry. All his food and firewood was over, and he was not in a cheerful mood anymore. The grasshopper was struggling to live and finally remembered the ant’s advice. Feeling guilty about ignoring and mocking her, he decided to apologise and ask the ant for help. He went to her house and knocked on the door. The ant greeted him and asked – “Why have you come here, oh dear grasshopper? Do you not sing and dance for longer? You look so weak and I heard you yelp. Tell me my dear, do you need any help?”
The grasshopper weakly replied – “I came to ask for forgiveness from you my friend. Help me or my life will end. I am a fool who ended up wasting time. Please have mercy or I shall not survive.”
The Ant and the Grasshopper Story Summary
The ant showed her generosity and helped the grasshopper. In return, she asked him to not mock anyone and also to work harder from the next time. The grasshopper obliged and thanked her. He had learnt his lesson. Refer to the ant and the grasshopper story pdf.
Bottom Line of the Ant and the Grasshopper Moral
Take the example of the story about the ant and the grasshopper. If we have to teach children about the importance of time and hard work, we shall have to begin with telling them what is time, what is an opportunity, why one needs to sow now to reap the rewards later et cetera. But what if we tell them a story instead? A story that has all the necessary elements. It will be quick, easy and effective; and it has a great recall value too! The characters are so unique that the children will remember them and the moral of the story forever. So yes, these stories help a lot in teaching and shaping young minds.
The Ant and the Grasshopper Moral of the Story
From the story of the ant and grasshopper, we learn that we should make proper use of an opportunity and not take it for granted. Hard work always rewards us in the end. It also teaches us that determination and sincerity can help a person overcome any adversity.
FAQs on The Ant and the Grasshopper: Moral Story for Students
1. What is the main moral of the story “The Ant and the Grasshopper”?
The main moral of “The Ant and the Grasshopper” is the importance of hard work and planning for the future. The story teaches that it is wise to work and prepare during times of plenty (like summer) to ensure you are safe and secure during times of scarcity (like winter). It highlights that neglecting your responsibilities for immediate pleasure can lead to hardship later on.
2. Can you briefly summarize the story of “The Ant and the Grasshopper”?
The story is about a diligent ant and a carefree grasshopper. Throughout the summer, the ant works tirelessly, collecting and storing food for the upcoming winter. The grasshopper, however, spends its days singing and playing, mocking the ant for its hard work. When winter arrives, the ant is warm and well-fed in its nest, while the grasshopper is left cold and starving, regretting its idleness.
3. What makes a story like “The Ant and the Grasshopper” a fable?
A fable is a short story that teaches a moral lesson, often featuring animals, plants, or mythical creatures as characters who speak and act like humans. “The Ant and the Grasshopper” is a classic fable because it uses animal characters with human traits (diligence and laziness) to convey a clear moral about the value of foresight and hard work.
4. How do the Ant and the Grasshopper represent two different approaches to life?
The characters represent two contrasting life philosophies:
- The Ant: Represents foresight, diligence, and responsibility. It embodies the principle of working hard in the present to secure a comfortable future, valuing delayed gratification over immediate pleasure.
- The Grasshopper: Represents procrastination and living only for the moment. It embodies the idea of prioritizing immediate fun and leisure without any thought or preparation for future needs and challenges.
5. How can a student apply the lesson from this story to their studies?
Students can apply this lesson directly to their school life. Think of the school year as the 'summer' and final exams as the 'winter'. The story encourages students to be like the ant by studying consistently throughout the year, completing assignments on time, and revising regularly. This preparation ensures they are confident and ready for exams. Being like the grasshopper—putting off studying until the last minute—leads to stress, cramming, and poor results.
6. Is the story only about hard work, or does it teach something more about time?
While hard work is a central theme, the story also teaches a crucial lesson about the value and management of time. It shows that time is a resource that, once spent, cannot be recovered. The ant uses the summer wisely, understanding it is a limited period for preparation. The grasshopper wastes this time, learning too late that opportunities to prepare for the future do not last forever. The moral is as much about timely action as it is about hard work.
7. Why is the ant's refusal to help the grasshopper important for the story's moral?
In traditional versions of the fable, the ant's refusal to help is a critical element. While it may seem harsh, this ending powerfully demonstrates the concept of natural consequences. It reinforces the moral that individuals are responsible for their own actions and choices. If the ant had simply shared its food, the grasshopper would not have learned the vital lesson about self-reliance and the consequences of laziness, which is the entire point of the fable.
