DLTK's Crafts for Kids
The Grasshopper and the Ants

In a field one summer's day a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content.

He then saw a group of ants carrying heavy corn kernels on their backs.

"Where are you going with those heavy things?" asked the grasshopper.

Without stopping, the first ant replied, “We are gathering food for the winter. This is the second kernel I have carried today."

"Why not come and sing with me," teased the grasshopper, "instead of working so hard?"

"We are helping to gather food for the winter, and suggest you do the same."

"Winter is far away and it is a glorious day," said the grasshopper.

The ants went about their work and ignored him.

The weather soon turned cold and all the food in the field was covered with a thick layer of snow.

The snow was so thick that not even the grasshopper could dig through it to get the food. Soon, the grasshopper was dying of hunger.

He staggered his way to the ants' hill and saw them passing out corn from their stores. He begged them for a piece of food.

"What!" cried the ants in surprise, "haven't you stored anything away for the winter? What were you doing all summer?"

"I didn't have time to store any thing away" the grasshopper whined; "I was so busy playing music that before I knew it the summer was over."

The ants shook their heads in disgust and turned their backs on the grasshopper and went back to their work.