The Ant and the Grasshopper
Adapted by Daniel Errico
The ant was working hard to store his food before the cold.
He carried loads inside his house- as much as he could hold.
It wasn’t easy work, and he was gone from dusk ‘til dawn.
He picked up grains and tiny crumbs that fell upon the lawn.
At night he rested soundly, which is how he kept his strength.
Preparing for the winter, he would go to any length.
As sun was shining hard upon his legs and on his back.
The green grasshopper laid around and had a crunchy snack.
The lazy, green grasshopper liked to play his wooden fiddle.
He was taller than a mushroom with four wings along his middle.
He liked to a song at all the bugs that walked his way.
He’d take his fiddle out and then began to loudly play.
“Ant! I can’t believe that you would work on such a day!
Sing with me! Relax until until the sun has gone away!”
“‘I’ve much to do,” the ant replied. “I can’t just sit around.
I’ve got to plan for winter. There is food that must be found.”
The green grasshopper laughed, and then he mocked the ant aloud.
“If you like doing work, I know a field that must be plowed!”
“You’re such a fool, you silly ant, you worry for no reason.
You think so far ahead that you do not enjoy the season!”
“I have no time to tarry here, “ is all the ant would say.
He just ignored the silly taunts, and worked with no delay.
That night the ant was woken up by knocking on his door.
The green grasshopper said, “Come play and don’t be such a bore.”
“We’re playing tag at night, but we could really use one more.
The slug, the worm, and you and me, would make an even four.”
He whispered to the ant, “We’ll win. Those two are really slow.
The slug is kind of slimy (I just thought that you should know).”
The ant said, “Get some sleep! You shouldn’t be here playing tag!”
He slammed his door and heard them softly murmur, “What a nag.”
Every day the ant walked by with stacks and stacks of food.
Which made the green grasshopper laugh and lightened up his mood.
He sang about how nice it was to lay down in the shade.
(He even used his termite friends to get a sofa made).
He started playing cards, and dealt his friends a dozen hands.
And threw mud at the ant, while hid behind a mound of sand.
He slid down grass atop a leaf and shouted out “Woohoo!
I bet you wish you slid down hills, and had the fun I do!”
He chuckled at the ant, while sipping drops of orange juice.
But soon he saw his taunting would not be of any use.
The ant trudged on and never stopped. He didn’t slow down once.
And this went on all summer, and throughout the autumn months.
The lazy green grasshopper, soon began to feel a chill.
The ant was done collecting food, since he had found his fill.
He closed his door for winter and put on a pair of slippers.
And used the sweetest crumbs he had as warm hot chocolate dippers.
A week went by, and once again, he heard his front door knock.
And saw the cold grasshopper, wearing just a tattered sock.
“I’m hungry and I’m freezing! Do you have some food to share?
The ground is hard. I’m starving, and you look so warm in there…”
“I’ll just stay here a moment, and have just a little food.
To turn away a friend like me, would be a little rude.”
The ant said, “I have just enough for only me to eat.
It took me months to get it, with my back and with my feet.
All that time you mocked me, and you laughed and called me names,
While you were busy singing songs and playing silly games.”
It stunned the green grasshopper, who was left out in the cold.
He wished that he had heard the ant, and did as he was told.
When summer came around again the ant was working hard.
And the skinny green grasshopper followed him around the yard.