This classic fable teaches us valuable life lessons through the contrasting lives of a carefree cricket and a hardworking ant. The story shows how their different choices lead to very different outcomes when winter arrives.
Understanding the Fable
Fables are special stories that:
- Use animals as characters to represent human qualities
- Contain clear moral lessons
- Are simple but meaningful
This particular fable comes from Aesop’s famous collection and teaches us about:
- The importance of planning ahead
- The value of hard work
- Consequences of being careless
The Cricket’s Story
Summer Days
The cricket spends his warm months:
- Singing joyfully all day long
- Enjoying the pleasant weather
- Not thinking about the future at all
Characteristics of Cricket:
- Lives only for the moment
- Doesn’t store any food
- Believes good times will last forever
Winter Troubles
When cold weather arrives:
- The cricket finds no food available
- His home offers no protection
- He becomes cold, wet and hungry
Descriptions show his suffering:
- “Not a crumb to be found”
- “All dripping with wet”
- Trembling with cold and hunger
The Ant’s Character
Hardworking Nature
The ant represents:
- Responsibility and planning
- Consistent effort
- Self-reliance
During summer:
- Works hard collecting food
- Stores supplies carefully
- Prepares for winter
Strict Principles of Ant :
The ant follows clear rules:
- Never borrows from others
- Never lends to others
- Believes everyone should work
His famous lines:
“We ants never borrow; we ants never lend”
The Moral Lesson
The story teaches us to:
- Plan for difficult times
- Work hard when we can
- Take responsibility for ourselves
The poet adds that:
- This lesson applies to humans too
- Some “crickets” walk on two legs (meaning people)
- Laziness always leads to trouble
Poetic Techniques
The poet uses several devices to make the story memorable:
| Technique | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Rhyme | “sing” and “spring” | Makes it musical |
| Imagery | “Snow covered ground” | Creates clear pictures |
| Contrast | Summer vs winter | Shows consequences |
| Personification | Talking animals | Makes lesson clear |
Important Questions & Answers
1. When does the cricket worry?
- In winter when he’s cold and hungry
- When he realizes he has no food stored
2. What’s similar to Shakespeare’s saying?
The ant’s rule:
- “We ants never borrow”
- “We ants never lend”
3. Is the ant being unfair?
- No, he’s being consistent
- He believes in personal responsibility
- Doesn’t support laziness
4. Why say “dance the winter away”?
- It’s ironic – the cricket “danced” (played) in summer
- Shows his summer fun is useless now
- Highlights the ant’s point about working
Story Summary Table
| Character | Summer Activity | Winter Condition | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket | Sings and plays | Starving and cold | Laziness has consequences |
| Ant | Works and saves | Warm and fed | Hard work brings security |
Modern Applications
This ancient story still teaches us important lessons today:
For students:
- Study regularly instead of last-minute cramming
- Complete assignments on time
- Develop good habits early
For adults:
- Save money for emergencies
- Plan for retirement
- Balance work and leisure wisely
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