In a field on a summer’s day, a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing. An Ant passing by was working very hard under the hot sun. She was collecting grains of corn to store at her house for the next winter season.
The Grasshopper ridiculed her efforts and said, “Why are you toiling like this? You must rest for a while. The winter is away. Come and sing some songs with me.”
“No! No!,” replied the Ant, “I am helping the other ants collect food for the winter. And I recommend you to do the same. Or else what will you eat during the winter months?” The Grasshopper did not pay any heed to what the Ant said. He relaxed throughout the summer and lazed around under his favourite tree, eating to his heart’s content. He did not store any food for the winter.
When the winter came, the Grasshopper had no food, and found he was dying of hunger. Meanwhile, he saw the ants distributing corn and grain they had collected in summer. He knocked at the Ant’s door. “Please give me some food,” he begged, “or I will die in this harsh winter.”
“This is what happens when you do not plan for future months,” replied the Ant, “I can give you only a few crumbs. That is all.”
The Grasshopper was grateful to the Ant but remained cold and miserable throughout the winter. The next summer, the Grasshopper worked hard to store food for the upcoming winter. He had learnt to think ahead and plan for the future.
