Fables



Tells the story of a grasshopper who plays all summer instead of working hard to gather and store food. As a result he begins to starve in the winter and goes up to a group of ants who have been collecting food all summer and asks if they can help him. Knowing that the grasshopper played all summer, however, they refuse to help him. Thus, the application explains that it is important to save and be prepared for the uncertainties of life. The application highlights that in old age we will be too weak to work, thus it is essential that we save. Clearly, this application is directed towards younger children, who still have time to change their behaviors. In addition, the grasshopper exhibits characteristics of children who would rather play all summer than work. Furthermore the application goes all the way to referring to Solomon and Horace and states, “Solomon seems to be in a passion with the lazy part of his species, and instead of urging much with them says in short, Go to the Ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise” (221). This is an interesting addition, as Solomon was a character in the Hebrew Bible who was powerful and wealthy but became idle and lost his kingdom. This biblical reference further suggests that the book was influenced by the time and was meant to be similar to the Bible in promoting morality. He then quotes from Horace, a Roman poet, who states, “exemplum magni formica laboris ore trabit quodcunque protest, atque acervo, quem struit, haud ignara ac non incauta future; quae simul inversum constristat Aquarius annum, non usquam prorepit, et illis utitur ante quaesitis patiens” (221).
 * The Ant and the Grasshopper**:



This fable talks about how a hare boasted to a tortoise that she was much faster than the tortoise The Tortoise then suggested that they have a race to see who was the fastest. Confident that the she will win, the hare agrees. Wanting to prove her superior speed the hare started the race running as fast as she could. After noticing that she was well ahead she decided to take a break and catch her breath and take a nap. As she was catching her breathe, however, the Tortoise slowly made his way to the finish line and beat her. The application explains that people become over confident and idle, and ignore their situations until it is too late. It explains that a man must be consistent and diligent to be successful and make his point effectively.
 * The Hare and the Tortoise:**

This fable tells the story of tale of a boy who’s father was a shepherd. When he would look after the sheep sometimes he would cry “wolf wolf” only to trick his father. Then one day when the wolf really did come to eat the sheep and he cried out, his father, thinking he was once again lying, did not come. The application explains that people who lie will never be trusted again. It explains that this is very dangerous, as we can then not protect ourselves from danger, as when real danger comes we find ourselves alone with no one to help us.
 * The Shepherd's Boy:**