THE ANTS and THE GRASSHOPPER
Reading edition
The ants were employing a fine winter’s day in drying grain collected in the summer-time. A grasshopper, perishing from 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.”
In living, be guided much by the laws of nature, and not by the hope of mercy.
FABLES FROM INDIA
ADAPTED BY RAMASWAMI RAJU