THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT

The summer days were long and warm
And full of dreamy hours
For those who spent their time in play
Among the forest flowers.

Oh, happy was the grasshopper
To while away his time
With merry song and witty play
And many a silly rhyme

One day he sat against the root
And played his violin
When the busy ant passed by
"To play is it a sin?"

This spoken loudly, stopped the ant
He quietly replied,
"The cold of winter soon doth come
When all the creatures hide."

"And we must wisely food prepare
And warmth of home ensure
So we may all in comfort 'bide
And winter's ice endure."

"Come, come, oh come, my silly man
You're far too somber, now
You need some cheering and some fun
Your pleasure to endow."

The wise keen ant just shook his head
Then hurried on his way
He knew he could not warn the bug
For all that he should say.

The days passed by and autumn came
Which led to winter's snows
And on a morning clear and cold
To grasshopper's sad woe

He woke so stiff could hardly move
His summer food all gone
And so a plan his mind did make
And he set out upon

The icy field to find the ant
"Oh, he will help me sure."
He trembled, he was thinly clad
"I'm cold, so cold, brrr."

He soon arrived upon the stoop
Of cozy Anthill Hall
And looking in the window pane
He felt the bitter gall

Of pressing hunger, freezing cold
For there the ants did dine
Upon a table laden high
With all the ant's in line

And roaring near, the fire's blaze
While all did laugh and sing
But when he knocked no answer came
For he had not to bring

He wiped a tear and slowly turned
How wise the ant had been
"If only I had listened
I had my chances then."

So take a lesson grasshopper
And wisely spend your time
In taking thought for future good
Like the ant did in this rhyme.

Rachael Lofgren

Thanks for letting me use your poem Rachael! =)