Working with the Poem
- The cricket says, “Oh! what will become of me?” When does he say it, and why?
Answer: The cricket says this line during the winter when he finds himself starving and without food. He realizes the consequences of his lack of preparation and is worried about his survival. - (i) Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).
Answer: The lines that convey a similar meaning are when the ant advises the cricket that he should have worked hard like her during the summer instead of singing and dancing. It emphasizes self-reliance and the importance of planning for the future.
(ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principles?
Answer: The ant’s principles are commendable as they emphasize hard work, planning, and self-sufficiency. They highlight the importance of preparing for difficult times rather than living only for the moment. - The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away.” Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?
Answer: Yes, the word ‘dance’ is appropriate as it symbolizes the carefree attitude of the cricket. It suggests that instead of taking the winter seriously, the cricket should continue in his frivolous ways, even though it highlights the folly of his actions. - (i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.
Answer: The poet’s comment can be found in the last stanza, which reflects on the moral of the story and emphasizes the consequences of the cricket’s actions.
(ii) Write the comment in your own words.
Answer: The moral of the poem is that one should work hard and prepare for the future rather than being carefree and irresponsible. It teaches the importance of diligence and foresight.
Additional Activity
If you know a fable in your own language, narrate it to your classmates.
Example Response: In my language, there is a fable about a wise old man who always prepared for the winter by storing food. When winter came, he had enough to eat while his neighbors who had not prepared suffered from hunger. This story teaches the value of planning ahead and being responsible.
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