# The Grasshopper and the Ants explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

In winter, the Ants dry their corn after a rainy spell. A starving Grasshopper begs for food, but the Ants rebuke her for not storing provisions during summer, instead spending her time singing. They refuse her request, telling her to dance through winter as she sang through summer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Perseverance and Effort

The Ants exemplify diligence by working to store food, contrasting with the Grasshopper's neglect.

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Grasshopper's foolishness in prioritizing singing over preparation is met with the Ants' wise rebuke.

## Character check-ins

### The Grasshopper

Begs the Ants for food after failing to prepare for winter, having spent summer singing.

### The Ants

Diligently dry their corn and refuse to share with the Grasshopper, emphasizing the value of hard work and preparation.

## Key lines

> If you spent the summer singing, replied the Ants, you can’t do better than spend the winter dancing.

Since you wasted summer on pleasure, you must now face the consequences of your idleness.

_The Ants' retort underscores the moral that leisure without labor leads to hardship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-grasshopper-and-the-ants
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters