Table of Contents
The Ant and the Cricket–Paraphrase–Class 8
The Ant and the Cricket is a fable, that is a story deals with animals as characters. This animal characters are given human attributes. A fable always carries a moral, or a message. This is a fable, describing a cricket and an ant. The cricket had spent all the summer days and spring days by singing and wandering here and there. When winter came, he found his house was empty, as he has not stored food for the tough days of winter. All places were covered with snow. No flower was being seen outside. As a result, he had to spent in starvation.
Finally, “trembling with cold” he decided to go to the ant for help. He requested the ant to give him shelter and food to be alive. He, wished to get these in borrow. He promised to give back everything the very next day. In reply ants completely denied to help the cricket. They said that the did not give anything lend or take borrow. They were not cricket’s friends or servants. Ants questioned him if he had stored food in the warm days of summer and spring. But cricket was so busy in singing and enjoying the nature that he could not get any time to gather food for future requirements. Because, his heart was ‘so light’ in summer. So, the ants suggested the cricket to dance in winter. Thus, the ant made fun of the cricket. Finally, the cricket went away from the ants.
The Ant and the Cricket is a fable [literary creation, which deals with animal characters]. But at the end of the poem the poet Aesop clearly tells that it is true, and very much realistic. Though the character of cricket is described here as a foolish and irresponsible character, in reality some people also do the same. They don’t think for future. They only live in present and spend everything for present requirements. Being an intelligent person, we should always keep in mind the uncertain days of future. So, our present life needs special attention as we also save everything for future.
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Word Notes of The Ant and The Cricket
Silly- Foolish, Ignorant
Accustomed- Usual, Common, Habitual, Employed
Gay- Light-hearted, Joyful, Rollicking
Complain- Accuse, Charge, Repine
Empty- Vacant, Hollow,
Crumb-Small Fragment of Food
Starvation-Fast, Fasting, Condition Of Nothing to Eat.
Famine- Hunger, Extremely Scarcity of Food, Having Nothing to Eat.
Dripping- Fragile, Wet
Trembling- Shaking, Shuddering, Shivering
Miserly- Stingly, Niggard, Characteristic of a Miser.
Mouthful-Devouring, a quantity of food or drink that fills or can be put in the mouth.
Borrow-Take, adopt, Take and use
Lend- Debt, Loan, Grant to the use of on the understanding that it shall be returned.
Quoth- Said (Old English term)
Folks- People in general
Warrant-Evidence, Forecast, Foretell, Predict, Prophecies.
Adapted-Taken
HONEYDEW POEM CHAPTER 1- The Ant and the Cricket. Questions from textbook.
Questions and Answers–The Ant and the Cricket
1.The cricket says, “oh! what will become of me?” When does he say it. And why?
Ans: When the cricket finds in his home no food to eat in winter, he utters the above expression.
The ant becomes very much worried and tensed to find his house empty.
2.(i) find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (William Shakespeare)
Ans: The lines that mean the above expression are-
“Says the ant to the cricket, ‘I’m your servant and friend,
But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend”.
(ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principle?
Ans: The ants’ principle is very simple. They are independent and do every work themselves. They think for bad days in future. Like them everyone should plan for the rainy days. The ants teach this lesson to us.
3.The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away”. Do you the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why ?
Ans: Here the word ‘dance’ means ‘wasting time by making fun and enjoyment’. It is absolutely appropriate here. As the irresponsible cricket had spent the shinny days in merry making, he does not deserve any help and sympathy from the ant. So, the ants have done a good deal with the cricket.
4. (i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment?
Ans: The poet’s comment is conveyed in the last two lines-
“Folks call this a fable. I’ll warrant it true:
Some crickets have four legs, and some have two”.
(ii) Write the comment in your words
Ans: Some people believe that the story of the ant and the cricket is a fable with a moral and based on imagination. But, it is very much interesting and has educational importance. The moral of the story is appropriate for us. Because some people earn and spend everything. They don’t think for the uncertain days of future. They live on present. They make fun and enjoy themselves in present. They face difficulties in future. We should be like ants’. Because we must be responsible for our life and for our future also.
5.If you know a fable in your own language narrate it to your classmates.
Ans: attempt yourself .
6. Write the central idea of the poem The Ant and the Cricket
Ans: The poem has a deep inner meaning in it. It shows if one doesn’t plan for his future in a realistic way, he must face difficulties in future. In other words, unplanned future and careless life destine us to hard situation. The cricket represents those human beings who spend life carelessly, not planning for future and not saving for uncertain future. They only spend present in enjoyment and fun. Again, like the intelligent ants there are some people who planfully decorate their lives. They spend their present life keeping in mind the possibilities of future. Thus, they save themselves from hard situations in future. They spend their lives confidently and happily forever .So in real life we should be like ants , not like the cricket who spends cheerful life in a careless way.