The Ant and The Grasshopper
In meads where daisies and roses do shine,
A Grasshopper sings, heart’s delight unbent;
Bathed in summer’s glow, with sunshine alight,
While an Ant doth gather grain, toil unspent.
“O let us parley and frolic, dear mate!”
The Grasshopper laughs, “What need of such care?”
“Winter comes fast—I must anticipate,”
The Ant repl’eth, “A chore thou shouldst not spare.”
Then falls the cold, with frost’s cruel winter hand,
The Ant, food in store, warmth enough and more;
The Grasshopper, shivering, bare and grand,
To the Ant he comes, woe and grief full sore.
“One grain I give,” she spake, with noble mind—
“May thy song live, as doth this fable kind.”