Aesop
|
Greece

The Ant and The Fly

An Ant and a Fly argue about their worth, but the Ant's hard work proves more valuable than the Fly's boasting.
Perseverance
Boasting
Value
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Aesop's Fables - The Ant and The Fly
Audio available for B1 version

One day, an Ant and a Fly were engaged in a dispute over their respective worth. The Fly boasted to the Ant, "You are a vile and lowly insect. How can you compare yourself to me? I soar on the wing like a bird, and I can enter the palaces of kings and princes, and even emperors. I land on their heads, and I also visit the altars of the gods. Not a sacrifice is made that I don't taste, and I can attend any feast and eat and drink the best of everything."

The Ant replied, "All that may be true, but hear me out. You boast about your feasting, but you know very well that your diet is not always choice. Sometimes you are forced to eat things that I wouldn't touch. As for landing on the heads of kings and emperors, you know that they shake you off with impatience, whether you land on their heads or on the head of an ass. And as for the altars of the gods, you are nothing but a nuisance there, just as you are everywhere else. In the winter, while I feed at my ease on the fruit of my labor, it's common to see your friends dying from cold, hunger, and fatigue."

The Ant then concluded, "I don't want to waste any more time talking to you. All your chatter will not fill my bin or cupboard." Realizing the futility of their argument, the Fly flew away, and the Ant continued with its work.

One day, an Ant and a Fly were arguing about who was more important. The Fly bragged, "You are just a low insect. How can you compare yourself to me? I fly high like a bird and can enter the palaces of kings and princes. I even land on their heads, and I visit the altars of the gods. Wherever there is a sacrifice or a feast, I taste the best food and drink."

The Ant replied, "That may be true, but listen to me. You talk about all the food you eat, but it's not always good. Sometimes you have to eat things I wouldn't even touch. And when you land on the heads of kings or emperors, they quickly brush you off, just like they would from a donkey. At the altars, you are just an annoyance, like everywhere else. In the winter, while I eat what I have stored, you and your friends often die from cold and hunger."

The Ant then said, "I don’t have time to argue with you anymore. Talking won’t fill my cupboard." Seeing this, the Fly flew away, and the Ant went back to work.

One day, an Ant and a Fly were arguing about who was more important. The Fly bragged, "You are just a low insect. How can you compare yourself to me? I fly high like a bird and can enter the palaces of kings and princes. I even land on their heads, and I visit the altars of the gods. Wherever there is a sacrifice or a feast, I taste the best food and drink."

The Ant replied, "That may be true, but listen to me. You talk about all the food you eat, but it's not always good. Sometimes you have to eat things I wouldn't even touch. And when you land on the heads of kings or emperors, they quickly brush you off, just like they would from a donkey. At the altars, you are just an annoyance, like everywhere else. In the winter, while I eat what I have stored, you and your friends often die from cold and hunger."

The Ant then said, "I don’t have time to argue with you anymore. Talking won’t fill my cupboard." Seeing this, the Fly flew away, and the Ant went back to work.

Once upon a giggly afternoon, a Fly was zooming around like it had just had three cups of sugar. It spotted an Ant, busy as always, carrying a piece of food that was waaay bigger than it was. The Fly buzzed down, hovering dramatically in the air.

"Hey there, buddy! Look at you, working so hard! You really don't get it, do you? I'm the real star in the insect world! I can zoom through the air like the coolest superhero, land on the heads of kings and queens, and even crash the fanciest parties!"

The Ant looked up, wiping its brow as if it were sweating from all the hard work. "Superhero, eh? More like a super-pest! You say you're a VIP? But your meals are more like last-minute leftovers. Have you ever even tasted a fresh crumb?"

The Fly tried to look offended but buzzed a tiny laugh instead. "Well, a party's a party, right? Any food is good food!"

"Ah, the eternal optimist," the Ant teased. "But tell me this, Mr. Party Animal, how do the kings and queens feel when you 'grace' them with your presence?"

The Fly made a face, "Well, they're always so surprised they try to give me a high-five!"

"You mean they swat at you," the Ant corrected, doing a little shuffle dance for emphasis. "You're not exactly the popular one at those royal dos, are you?"

The Ant then pointed with its antenna toward the sky. "And let's not forget the fanciest parties you claim to crash. You might be buzzing around their delicious spreads, but you're like that guy at the party who tells bad jokes—no one wants to stand next to you!"

The Ant sighed, "While you're out there, freezing and searching for a crumb to eat this winter, I'll be in my comfy ant-hill, dining like it's Thanksgiving every day!"

Finally, the Ant said, "So, you see, I've got a food stash to build, and not a second to waste on chit-chat and empty buzzes."

The Fly paused, probably for the first time ever. "Hmm, you do have a point," it admitted and buzzed away, perhaps to find another creature that would listen to its rambles.

The Ant chuckled and went back to its work, happy and busy, knowing it was better to be all work and some play rather than all talk and no action.

Fly buzzed by, as loud as could be,
Said, "Ant, you're no match for me!
I dance in the air, a ballet in the sky,
While you scurry on ground, oh, why even try?"

"I dine with the kings, sit at altars divine,
Nibble fine feasts, sip on heavenly wine."
Fly grinned and twirled, so smug and so grand,
Sure she was queen of both air and land.

Ant chuckled softly, "Fly, hear me clear,
Your boasting's loud but it's me you should fear.
You sip on leftovers, let's call it by name,
A scavenger’s life, that's really your game."

"You buzz by kings, but what is your aim?
They swat you away, you're all the same.
You're not a guest, just a pest they disdain,
Whether by royals or donkeys, you're slain."

"In winter’s chill, when skies are gray,
I feast on my toil’s yield, hooray!
But you, dear Fly, with nowhere to stay,
End up cold, starved, and fading away."

"No more words, Fly, I've labors to do,
Your chatter's empty as the wind that blew."
Fly sighed, knew she was beat, flew out of sight,
While Ant marched on, her path so right.

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Word Finder

  1. Arguing

    Discussing angrily with someone about something different.

  2. Bragged

    Spoke with too much pride about one's accomplishments.

  3. Compare

    Examine two things to see how they are different.

  4. Sacrifice

    Giving up something valuable for a greater cause.

  5. Altars

    Raised places where religious ceremonies are held.

  6. Annoyance

    A feeling of being bothered or disturbed by something.

  7. Feast

    A large, special meal with lots of food.

  8. Emperors

    Rulers of large groups of countries or territories.

  9. Stored

    Kept something safe to use in the future.

  10. Cupboard

    A small cabinet for keeping food and other things.

Understanding Questions

  1. What was the Fly bragging about when comparing itself to the Ant?
  2. How did the Ant respond to the Fly’s claim about visiting kings and altars?
  3. Why did the Ant say the Fly's food wasn’t always good?
  4. According to the Ant, what happens to the Fly and its friends in the winter?
  5. What did the Ant do at the end of the argument with the Fly?
Word Finder
  1. Arguing

    Discussing angrily with someone about something different.

  2. Bragged

    Spoke with too much pride about one's accomplishments.

  3. Compare

    Examine two things to see how they are different.

  4. Sacrifice

    Giving up something valuable for a greater cause.

  5. Altars

    Raised places where religious ceremonies are held.

  6. Annoyance

    A feeling of being bothered or disturbed by something.

  7. Feast

    A large, special meal with lots of food.

  8. Emperors

    Rulers of large groups of countries or territories.

  9. Stored

    Kept something safe to use in the future.

  10. Cupboard

    A small cabinet for keeping food and other things.

Understanding Questions
  1. What was the Fly bragging about when comparing itself to the Ant?

    1. Its ability to fly
    2. Its friendship with kings
    3. Its beautiful wings
    4. Its strength
  2. How did the Ant respond to the Fly’s claim about visiting kings and altars?

    1. By laughing
    2. By ignoring
    3. By agreeing
    4. By arguing
  3. Why did the Ant say the Fly's food wasn’t always good?

    1. Because it was spoiled
    2. Because it was too sweet
    3. Because it was unhealthy
    4. Because it was not real food
  4. According to the Ant, what happens to the Fly and its friends in the winter?

    1. They get cold
    2. They starve
    3. They migrate
    4. They hibernate
  5. What did the Ant do at the end of the argument with the Fly?

    1. It flew away
    2. It walked away
    3. It called for help
    4. It ignored the Fly
  1. What was the Fly bragging about when comparing itself to the Ant?
  2. How did the Ant respond to the Fly’s claim about visiting kings and altars?
  3. Why did the Ant say the Fly's food wasn’t always good?
  4. According to the Ant, what happens to the Fly and its friends in the winter?
  5. What did the Ant do at the end of the argument with the Fly?
  1. What was the Fly bragging about when comparing itself to the Ant?
  2. How did the Ant respond to the Fly’s claim about visiting kings and altars?
  3. Why did the Ant say the Fly's food wasn’t always good?
  4. According to the Ant, what happens to the Fly and its friends in the winter?
  5. What did the Ant do at the end of the argument with the Fly?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Fly was boasting about its ability to fly and visit different places?
  2. How did the Ant feel about the Fly's boastful comments?
  3. What lesson was the Ant trying to teach the Fly when it pointed out the Fly's struggles during the winter?
  4. Can you think of a time when you or someone else focused more on boasting about what they could do, instead of actually doing something useful?
  5. How can we use humility, hard work, and prioritizing actions in our daily lives based on this fable?
Fable Quotes
In the face of empty boasts, true progress is achieved through unwavering perseverance and dedicated work.
Boasting of wealth and virtue brings your demise.
The worth of one's life is measured not by grand claims, but humble deeds and the quiet diligence of daily toil.
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