It was a summer day. In a field, a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, carrying an ear of corn and was taking to the nest.
"Why not come and join me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of carrying such a heavy load in that way?"
"I am collecting food for the winter," said the Ant, "and I also invite 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.
The hungry Grasshopper asked to an Ant for some
of the food which they had stored.
"Why," said the Ant, "did you not store up some
food for yourself, instead of singing all the
time?"
"So I did," said the Grasshopper; "so I did; but
you fellows broke in and carried it all away."
Then the Grasshopper knew:
Moral: It is best to prepare for the
days of necessity.