Introduction to Literature: “The Ant & the Grasshopper”

1. Introduction to Literature:“The Ant & the Grasshopper” Prof. Everson ENGL 201

2. The Ant and the Grasshopperby Aesop 1 One summer day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content swinging on a stalk of wheat. The sun was warm and bright, and around him were acres of grain, ripe and ready to eat. 1 Source: Æsop. Fables, retold by Joseph Jacobs. Vol. XVII, Part 1. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14. Bartleby.com, 2001. www.bartleby.com/17/1/. Accessed 3 June 2011.

3. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. She did not even stop to rest. "Where are you going with such a heavy load?” said the Grasshopper. “Home,” she said. “I have a big family to feed.” “What’s the big hurry?” he asked. “It’s too hot to work so hard. And besides, there’s plenty of grain right here. Come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way."

4. “Harvest time is coming soon, and then all the grain will be gone,” the Ant said, running even faster. She was right. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger - while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.

5. “Can you spare a few kernels for an old friend?” he asked her. “No I cannot,” said the Ant. “This is our whole supply for winter. But don’t worry you will have plenty to eat next summer. And she sent the Grasshopper away hungry.

6. Reflect on the Story What does the story mean? Have you heard it before? What kind of story is it? Is it good? Is it useful? Who is the story made for (target audience)?

7. Now: Compare that version to other versions… Links: “The Ant & the Grasshopper” by Matt Barry. Promise 4 All.com (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATuBscFxi9U “The Grasshopper and the Ants” Walt Disney Silly Symphony Series (1934) http://youtu.be/wM1DgihKHVI