The Grasshopper and the Ant
The Grasshopper and the Ant is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, published in 1891. The story follows the adventures of a grasshopper who spends his days singing and playing, while an ant works hard to prepare for the winter. When winter arrives, the grasshopper finds himself struggling to survive, while the ant is well-prepared and content. The story teaches the lesson that hard work and preparation are essential for success and happiness.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Fables, Fiction, Children's Literature · 75 words
First lines
One day in winter a hungry Grasshopper applied to an Ant for some of the food which they had stored.
"Why," said the Ant, "did you not store up some food for yourself, instead of singing all the time?"
"So I did," said the Grasshopper; "so I did; but you fellows broke in and carried it all away."
What this Textopian page supports
The Grasshopper and the Ant is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fables, Fiction, Children's Literature, Moral and Ethical Fiction
- Length: 75 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Grasshopper and the Ant by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Grasshopper and the Ant?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fables first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Hares And The Frogs by Ambrose Bierce
- The Hare And The Tortoise by Ambrose Bierce
- The Lion The Bear And The Fox by Ambrose Bierce
- The Lion And The Rattlesnake by Ambrose Bierce
- The Tale Of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
- The Crab And His Son by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fables — The story features anthropomorphized animals, specifically a grasshopper and an ant, usually indicative of the fable genre. Furthermore, this tale is a retelling of one of Aesop's Fables, universally considered a fable.
- Fiction — The book presents a fantastical story involving talking animals, which clearly establishes it as fiction.
- Children's Literature — The moral, educational focus of this fable, as well as the inclusion of anthropomorphic animals, makes it ideal for children's literature.
- Moral and Ethical Fiction — The story conveys a moral or ethical lesson about the importance of hard work and preparation, typical of this genre.
Tags
fable · morality tale · insects · nature · wisdom · advice · proverb · parable · short story · classic · American literature · 19th century literature