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.
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.
Audio available for B1 version
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.
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Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the Fly was boasting about its ability to fly and visit different places?
- How did the Ant feel about the Fly's boastful comments?
- What lesson was the Ant trying to teach the Fly when it pointed out the Fly's struggles during the winter?
- 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?
- 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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