The Grasshopper and the Ants by Leo Tolstoy
A lazy grasshopper spends the summer singing and playing while hardworking ants prepare for winter by storing food. When winter comes, the grasshopper begs the ants for help but they refuse, teaching him a lesson about the importance of preparation and hard work.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1885 · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature · 76 words
First lines
In the fall the wheat of the Ants got wet; they were drying it. A hungry Grasshopper asked them for something to eat. The Ants said:
"Why did you not gather food during the summer?"
She said:
"I had no time: I sang songs."
What this Textopian page supports
The Grasshopper and the Ants is listed on Textopian as a fable by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature, Philosophical, Moral Tale
- Length: 76 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Grasshopper and the Ants by Leo Tolstoy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- The Fisherman And The Fish by Leo Tolstoy
- The Owl And The Hare by Leo Tolstoy
- The Gnat And The Lion by Leo Tolstoy
- The Dog The Cock And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Frog And The Lion by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson through anthropomorphized characters, typical of fables.
- Allegory — The story represents broader themes of hard work versus laziness, illustrating societal values.
- Children's Literature — The simple plot and moral make it suitable for a young audience, often used to teach lessons.
- Philosophical — The themes provoke thought about human behavior and societal responsibilities.
Tags
Fable · Moralism · Aesopian · Animal Story · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Hard Work vs Laziness · Responsibility · Consequences of Actions · Cautionary Tale · Teaching Children