The Ants and the Grasshopper
One fine day in winter some Ants were busy drying their store of corn, which had got rather damp during a long spell of rain. Presently up came a Grasshopper and begged them to spare her a few grains. The Ants stopped work for a moment, though this was against their principles. They asked what the grasshopper was doing with himself all last summer. The Grasshopper replied, "I was so busy singing that I hadn't the time." "If you spent the summer singing," replied the Ants, "you can't do better than spend the winter dancing." And they chuckled and went on with their work.
Recall the final step in the process to determine theme—use the events that happened in the fable and why they happened to infer the theme. Writing in complete sentences, identify the theme.
What do you think the theme is?
When you have any ideas, we'll be glad to check them.
To determine the theme of a fable, you need to analyze the events that occurred and why they happened. In the fable "The Ants and the Grasshopper," the Ants were busy drying their store of corn in winter when the Grasshopper approached them and asked for some grains. The Ants asked the Grasshopper what he had been doing all summer, to which he replied that he had been busy singing and didn't have time to gather food. The Ants, who had been diligently preparing for winter, then told the Grasshopper that if he spent the summer singing, he should spend the winter dancing.
From this, we can infer that the theme of the fable is the importance of hard work, planning, and preparation. The Ants were diligent and responsible, while the Grasshopper was more focused on leisure and neglecting his responsibilities. The fable suggests that those who work hard and plan ahead are more likely to be prepared for the future, while those who prioritize immediate pleasures may face difficulties later on.