Summary and Question-answers of the poem of the first chapter-1-The Ant & the Cricket

Summary

This poem is about a silly young Cricket and an Ant. The Cricket was only singing all day long and used to enjoy his good times during summer season. He didn’t plan anything for the future.

When winter arrives, The Cricket couldn’t find a small amount of food to eat. So, the Cricket thinks of going to the miserly Ant to borrow food and to get shelter. Then, the Cricket knocked on the ant´s door asking for help.

The Ant gives a very important lesson of life during its conversation with the Cricket. The Ant says that ants neither borrow from anybody nor do they lend anybody. Ants are hardworking creatures and save for the future. The Ant asks the Cricket what it was doing during happier times. On hearing this, the Cricket replied that it was indulged in dancing and singing and making merry. So the Ant asks the Cricket to try dancing and singing once again during rough times.

WORKING WITH THE POEM (Page 23)

Question 1:

The cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me?” When does he say it, and why?

Answer:

The Cricket speaks these words when in his house he finds no food to eat in winter.

Question 2:

(i) Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).

Answer:

The line is: But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.

(ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principles?

Answer: 

The Ant’s principle is not bad. It teaches a lesson to everybody to plan for the rainy day.

 

Question 3:

The Ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away.” Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?

Answer: 

The word ‘dance’ here means ‘merry making and wasting time.’ It is appropriate here. The irresponsible Cricket does not deserve any sympathy.

Question 4:

(i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.

Answer: 

The poet’s comment is expressed in the last two lines.

“Folks call this a fable, 111 warrant it true.”

 

(ii) Write the comment in your own words.

Answer: 

People say that this story of the cricket and the ant is imaginary or a fable with a moral. But I think that the story is true and educative. Some people live only in the present. They spend what they earn, and make merry. But they regret this habit later on.

Question 5:

If you know a fable in your own language narrate it to your classmates.

Answer: 

Attempt yourself.