The Ants and the Grasshopper

THE ANTS were spending a fine winter’s day drying grain collected in the summertime. A Grasshopper, perishing with famine, passed by and earnestly begged for a little food. The Ants inquired of him, “Why did you not treasure up food during the summer?” He replied, “I had not leisure enough. I passed the days in singing.” They then said in derision: “If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supperless to bed in the winter.”

That cautionary tale from Aesop’s Fables [as we all know] is intended to discourage slothfulness. It does not however go on to tell children what happens to lazy, good for nothing, don’t want to work and can’t even sing worth a damn beggars. That’s when a picture is worth a thousand words.

Ant #1: I’m really looking forward to vacation.
Ant #2: Yes indeed. Ah, the rewards of labor.

Yo, I been so busy singin’ I ain’t had time to tend to business can you little dudes help a hopper out?

Sure we’ll help you out- out of your wings and your legs. Now dance you lazy bum!

More and more I am entertaining the idea of writing for children.  With that in mind I added a few captions. Children like that sort of thing. 😉

Credits: The Ants and the Grasshopper: Aesop (2012-05-17). Aesop’s Fables Translated by George Fyler Townsend. Kindle Edition.