About the The Ant and the Grasshopper story
“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is a classic fable about a hardworking ant who prepares for winter and a carefree grasshopper who plays all summer. When winter comes, the ant is ready, but the grasshopper learns a tough lesson.
“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is a classic story from Aesop’s Fables, which are over 2,500 years old! These short tales were created to teach important life lessons in simple, memorable ways. If you’ve ever heard the saying “Work hard, play later,” this fable captures that idea perfectly.
This article offers two versions of the fable: the original and a simplified graded reader, perfect for younger learners. With fun questions at the end, your child will build vocabulary and comprehension skills while enjoying this timeless lesson.
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Let’s leap into the world of The Ant and the Grasshopper and discover the importance of hard work!
The story of “The Ant and the Grasshopper”
One bright summer day, a grasshopper was hopping through the fields, singing and playing his violin in the warm sunshine. He was carefree and happy, enjoying the beauty of the day. As he sang, he noticed an ant working hard, carrying grains of food to her nest.
The ant was gathering food to prepare for the winter, storing everything away while the weather was still good.
“Why not come and play with me?” asked the grasshopper. “You can relax and enjoy the sunshine instead of working so hard!”
But the ant just shook her head. “I’m storing food for the winter,” she replied. “You should do the same. When winter comes, there will be no food left to find.”
“Winter? Ha!” laughed the grasshopper. “There’s plenty of time before the cold weather arrives. Let’s enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!”
The ant didn’t argue and kept working, carrying grain after grain back to her nest. Meanwhile, the grasshopper continued to sing, dance, and relax in the warmth of the sun, never thinking about the future.
Winter arrives
As the weeks passed, the days grew shorter, and the air became colder. Soon, the grasshopper noticed that all the leaves had fallen from the trees, and the ground was covered in snow. There was no more food to be found anywhere—no flowers, no leaves, and no grain.
The grasshopper was hungry, cold, and weak. He knocked on the ant’s door, shivering in the freezing wind. “Please, ant, can you spare some food? I didn’t gather anything for the winter, and now I’m starving!”
The ant looked at the grasshopper sadly. “I spent the entire summer working hard to prepare for this. What were you doing?”
“I was singing and playing music,” the grasshopper admitted. “I didn’t think about the winter ahead.”
The ant shook her head. “I’m sorry, grasshopper, but I can’t share. I worked hard to gather this food for myself and my family. It’s too late now.”
The grasshopper, realizing his mistake, went away hungry, wishing he had listened to the ant’s advice.
The moral of “The Ant and the Grasshopper”
Hard work and planning ahead are important, especially when facing difficult times.
The ant’s hard work throughout the summer allowed her to survive the winter, while the grasshopper’s laziness left him hungry and cold. This fable teaches us that it’s important to be responsible and think ahead, rather than only enjoying the moment.
Questions about “The Ant and the Grasshopper”
- What was the grasshopper doing all summer while the ant was working?
- Why did the ant spend the summer gathering food?
- What happened when winter arrived, and the grasshopper had no food?
- Why didn’t the ant share her food with the grasshopper?
- What lesson does this story teach us?
Answers
- The grasshopper was singing, dancing, and playing instead of working.
- The ant was gathering food to prepare for the winter when there would be no food to find.
- The grasshopper was cold, hungry, and weak because he hadn’t gathered food for the winter.
- The ant had worked hard to gather enough food for herself and couldn’t share it with the grasshopper.
- The story teaches us the importance of hard work and planning ahead for difficult times.
Words to learn
- Grasshopper: A small green insect that can jump and chirp. In this story, the grasshopper spends his time playing and singing.
- Ant: A small insect that works hard and lives in colonies. The ant prepares for winter by gathering food.
- Winter: The coldest season of the year, when food is hard to find. The ant prepares for winter, while the grasshopper does not.
- Grain: Small seeds used for food, like wheat or corn. The ant gathers grain to store for the winter.
- Nest: A place where animals or insects live. The ant carries food to her nest for safekeeping.
What type of story is “The Ant and the Grasshopper”?
The Ant and the Grasshopper is a fable, which is a short story that teaches a moral or lesson, often using animals as characters.
Who wrote “The Ant and the Grasshopper”?
The Ant and the Grasshopper is a fable by Aesop, a storyteller from ancient Greece. You can learn more about Aesop here.
When was “The Ant and the Grasshopper” written?
The Ant and the Grasshopper was written more than 2,500 years ago, as part of Aesop’s Fables, which were passed down through oral storytelling.
Who are the main characters in “The Ant and the Grasshopper”?
The main characters are the ant and the grasshopper. The ant works hard, while the grasshopper plays and avoids responsibility.
What lesson can we learn from “The Ant and the Grasshopper”?
We learn that hard work and planning for the future are important, especially when we face difficult or uncertain times. The grasshopper’s carelessness in summer left him unprepared for the harsh winter.
”The Ant and the Grasshopper” story for young English learners (ages 2-5, Pre-A1 graded reader)
One summer day, a grasshopper was hopping around in the sunshine. He was happy and singing.
An ant was nearby. The ant was working hard. He was carrying food back to his home.
“Why are you working so hard?” the grasshopper asked. “It is a beautiful day! Come sing with me!”
The ant said, “I am gathering food for the winter. When it is cold, there will be no food. You should gather food too.”
The grasshopper laughed. “I don’t need to worry about winter now. I will sing and have fun!”
The ant kept working. He carried food every day, while the grasshopper played and sang.
Winter came. The wind blew, and the snow fell. The grasshopper was cold and hungry. He had no food. He went to the ant’s home.
“Ant, please give me some food,” the grasshopper said. “I am hungry and cold.”
The ant said, “I worked hard all summer, and now I have enough food for winter, but no more. You played all summer, and now you have nothing to eat.”
The grasshopper felt very sad.
He learned an important lesson. Work hard today so you have what you need tomorrow.
Fun fact!
Did you know? In some versions of the story, the grasshopper isn’t the only one who doesn’t prepare for winter—other characters, like bees or mice, are also used to teach the same lesson about the importance of hard work.
