The Ant and the Grasshopper

On a warm summer day, a grasshopper was hopping happily through a meadow, singing and dancing in the sunshine. Life was wonderful!

He saw an ant walking by, carrying a heavy grain of corn on her back. The ant was sweating and moving slowly under the weight.

"Why are you working so hard on such a beautiful day?" asked the grasshopper. "Come sing and dance with me instead!"

"I'm storing food for the winter," replied the ant. "I suggest you do the same."

"Winter? That's months away!" laughed the grasshopper. "Why worry about tomorrow when today is so fine? There's plenty of food everywhere right now!"

The ant shook her head and continued working. Day after day, she collected food and stored it in her anthill.

The grasshopper spent all summer singing, dancing, and having fun. He never thought about the future.

Then winter came. The temperature dropped, snow covered the ground, and there was no food to be found anywhere.

The grasshopper was cold, hungry, and miserable. He had nothing to eat and nowhere warm to stay.

Desperate, he went to the ant's home. "Please," he begged, "can you share some food with me? I'm so hungry!"

The ant looked at him kindly. "What were you doing all summer while I was working?"

"I was singing and dancing," admitted the grasshopper, feeling ashamed.

"Then perhaps you should sing and dance now," said the ant gently. But seeing how hungry he was, she shared some food with him anyway.

The grasshopper learned his lesson. Next summer, he worked hard alongside the ant, storing food for the winter.

**Moral Lesson:** Work today so you can rest tomorrow. Preparation and hard work lead to security and peace of mind.