The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT

AFTER PLAYING, SINGING AND DANCING ALL SUMMER THE
GRASSHOPPER FOUND HIMSELF FACING THE ONSET OF WINTER.
HE ASKED HIMSELF, "HOW WILL I SING ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?"
HE WAS VERY DISTRESSED AND HOPPED OVER TO AN ANT WHO
WAS GOING DOWN INTO HER HOLE FOR THE WINTER. HE ASKED
HER TO LET HIM INTO HER DWELLING AND GIVE HIM FOOD AND
WARMTH.
THE ANT SAID, "MY FRIEND, I WOULD BE ASHAMED TO TAKE
YOU IN SINCE YOU HAVEN'T WORKED ALL SUMMER."
THE GRASSHOPPER SAID, "OH YES, I WORKED--I SANG ALL
SUMMER."
BUT THE ANT SAID, "WELL YOU SANG ALL SUMMER, NOW YOU CAN
DANCE!"

Submitter comment: THIS TALE IS SIMILAR TO ONE TOLD IN AMERICA EXCEPT
THAT IN THAT ONE THE ANT HAS PITY ON THE GRASSHOPPER
AND TAKES HIM IN. THE GRASSHOPPER EARNED HIS KEEP BY
SINGING AND DANCING FOR THE ANT COLONY. IN THE RUSSIAN
VERSION WHICH I GAVE THE GRASSHOPPER IS GIVEN A SARCASTIC
ANSWER FROM THE ANT AND IS TURNED AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

Date learned: 12-00-1983