Aesop was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE. This story is part of his collection of tales known as “Aesop’s Fables,” which did not survive in writing but were passed down by people retelling them. They have deeply influenced children's literature and modern storytelling culture.
As you read, take notes on the problem the grasshopper faces and how the ants' response contributes to the central theme(s) and moral of the fable.
As you read, take notes on the problem the grasshopper faces and how the ants' response contributes to the central theme(s) and moral of the fable.
*text and questions taken from Common Lit.
1. Bustle (verb) : to move in an energetic or noisy way
2. Humbly (adverb) : not proudly; lowly
3. Disgust (noun) : a strong feeling of dislike
1. Bustle (verb) : to move in an energetic or noisy way
2. Humbly (adverb) : not proudly; lowly
3. Disgust (noun) : a strong feeling of dislike
One bright day in late autumn a family of Ants were bustling about in the warm sunshine, drying out the grain they had stored up during the summer, when a starving Grasshopper, his fiddle under his arm, came up and humbly begged for a bite to eat.
"What!" cried the Ants in surprise, "haven't you stored anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer?"
"I didn't have time to store up any food," whined the Grasshopper; "I was so busy making music that before I knew it the summer was gone."
The Ants shrugged their shoulders in disgust.
"Making music, were you?" they cried. "Very well; now dance!" And they turned their backs on the Grasshopper and went on with their work.
"What!" cried the Ants in surprise, "haven't you stored anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer?"
"I didn't have time to store up any food," whined the Grasshopper; "I was so busy making music that before I knew it the summer was gone."
The Ants shrugged their shoulders in disgust.
"Making music, were you?" they cried. "Very well; now dance!" And they turned their backs on the Grasshopper and went on with their work.