The Ant and the Grasshopper
Aesop

1 “The Ant and the Grasshopper” is one of the oldest and most popular fables in the world. It was first recorded in ancient Greece about 2,500 years ago.

2In a sunny field Grasshopper played his violin happily while Ant gathered kernels of wheat. "It is a beautiful day," Grasshopper said. "Why are you working when you could be having fun like me?"

3"Today the sun shines, but soon winter will come," Ant replied. "I must stock my home now with enough food to last through the long snowy season. I must prepare today for what may come tomorrow." Grasshopper only laughed at Ant's concerns and played his violin louder. Ant ignored Grasshopper and continued to carry kernels of wheat to the top of her anthill and into her home below.

4And that is how Grasshopper and Ant spent the summer. Grasshopper sang and danced and played his violin while Ant worked hard to get ready for winter. Just as Ant had warned, winter arrived with cold and snowy weather. Ant was safe and warm in her anthill, surrounded by edibles1. She was feeling content with the results of her hard work.

5Outside the anthill, Grasshopper was not faring so well. He struggled to find food in the frozen earth, and he shivered in the cold wind. He was too tired and famished2 to play his violin. Grasshopper knew that he needed to eat and get warm. He remembered all the wheat that Ant had gathered during the summer.

6Starving and nearly frozen, Grasshopper made his way through the snow to Ant's house and knocked on her door. "What do you want?" Ant asked crossly when she saw Grasshopper.

7"I'm hungry and cold," Grasshopper replied. "Can you please give me something to eat and let me get warm by your fire?"

8Ant scowled and said, "You laughed at me and played your violin while I worked hard all summer. You should have listened to me when I said winter was coming. You should have thought ahead and prepared for the future." Ant sent Grasshopper back into the cold and returned to her seat by the fire.
1 edibles: food
2 famished: hungry

What is the significance of the setting in this story?
A) The changing weather shows one character's musical ability.
B) The changing weather shows one character's stubbornness.
C) The changing weather highlights how both characters make wise choices.
D) The changing weather highlights the wisdom of one character's choices and the foolishness of another character's choices.