The Ant and the Cricket Class 8 English Honeydew Poem 1 Summary is available here. The poem is in the Honeydew reader book, which is the main textbook for Class 8 English. Reading this summary can make it easier for students to understand the poem.
The Ant and the Cricket Class 8 English Honeydew Poem 1 Summary
The Ant and the Cricket Short Summary
The poem “The Ant and the Cricket” is about a cricket who sings all day and night during the summer and spring months but didn’t think about saving food for the winter. When winter comes, he can’t find any food or shelter and becomes worried. He decides to ask the ant for help, but the ant tells him that they do not lend or borrow. The ant then asks the cricket what he did during the summer and spring months and the cricket replies that he sang all the time without thinking about the future. The ant advises the cricket to dance the winter away like he sang all summer, and throws him out. The poet thinks this is not just a fable and says that there are many people who waste their time without thinking about the future like the cricket did.
The Ant and the Cricket Short Summary In Hindi
कविता “द एंट एंड द क्रिकेट” एक टिड्डे के बारे में है जो गर्मी और वसंत के महीनों में दिन-रात गाता है लेकिन सर्दियों के लिए भोजन बचाने के बारे में नहीं सोचता। जब सर्दियां आती हैं, तो उसे कोई भोजन या आश्रय नहीं मिलता है और वह चिंतित हो जाता है। वह चींटी से मदद माँगने का फैसला करता है, लेकिन चींटी उसे बताती है कि वे न तो उधार देते हैं और न ही उधार लेते हैं। चींटी तब टिड्डे से पूछती है कि उसने गर्मी और वसंत के महीनों में क्या किया और टिड्डा जवाब देता है कि उसने भविष्य के बारे में सोचे बिना हर समय गाया। चींटी टिड्डे को सलाह देती है कि वह पूरी गर्मी की तरह सर्दियों में नाचें और उसे बाहर फेंक दें। कवि सोचता है कि यह केवल एक कहानी नहीं है और कहता है कि ऐसे बहुत से लोग हैं जो टिड्डे की तरह भविष्य के बारे में सोचे बिना अपना समय बर्बाद करते हैं।
The Ant and the Cricket Summary
The renowned Greek poet, Aesop, penned this poem featuring two characters – a cricket and an ant. The young cricket used to sing and dance merrily during the summers and springs, relishing in his carefree existence. However, he was not very wise. During the warm seasons, there was an abundance of food and water, so he saw no need to store any for the winters. When winter arrived, the ground was blanketed with snow, and there was no vegetation to be found. The cricket spent his days singing and dancing, but soon realized that he was in trouble because he had not saved any food. He was starving and desperate for help. He mustered the courage to approach the ant and requested food and shelter, promising to repay the favor. The cricket was wet, cold, and shivering due to starvation, rain, and freezing temperatures. The ant, regarding the cricket as a friend and servant, refused to lend or borrow anything. The ant asked the cricket why he had not gathered and stored food during the spring and summer. The cricket replied that he had been too busy enjoying the pleasant weather and had not thought about the future. The ant, who had been busy preparing for winter, was annoyed and told the cricket to spend the winter singing and dancing. The ant then swiftly ended the conversation and pushed the cricket out of his home. The poet concludes by stating that this fable is a reflection of reality, as many individuals do not think about the future and only realize the importance of preparation when it’s too late.
The Ant and the Cricket Summary In Hindi
प्रसिद्ध ग्रीक कवि, ईसप ने इस कविता को दो पात्रों – एक झींगुर और एक चींटी की विशेषता के साथ लिखा था। युवा झींगुर ग्रीष्मकाल और बसंत के दिनों में मस्ती से गाता और नाचता था, अपने लापरवाह अस्तित्व का आनंद लेता था। हालाँकि, वह बहुत बुद्धिमान नहीं था। गर्म मौसम के दौरान, भोजन और पानी की प्रचुरता होती थी, इसलिए उसने सर्दियों के लिए कुछ भी जमा करने की आवश्यकता नहीं समझी। जब सर्दी आई, तो जमीन बर्फ से ढकी हुई थी, और कोई वनस्पति नहीं थी। क्रिकेट गाने और नाचने में अपने दिन बिताता था, लेकिन जल्द ही उसे एहसास हुआ कि वह मुसीबत में था क्योंकि उसने कोई खाना नहीं बचाया था। वह भूखा था और मदद के लिए बेताब था। उसने चींटी के पास जाने का साहस जुटाया और एहसान चुकाने का वादा करते हुए भोजन और आश्रय का अनुरोध किया। क्रिकेट गीला, ठंडा और भुखमरी, बारिश और ठंड के तापमान के कारण कांप रहा था। चींटी ने झींगुर को अपना मित्र और नौकर मानते हुए कुछ भी उधार देने या उधार लेने से इनकार कर दिया। चींटी ने झींगुर से पूछा कि उसने वसंत और गर्मियों के दौरान भोजन क्यों नहीं इकट्ठा किया और उसका भंडारण नहीं किया। झींगुर ने उत्तर दिया कि वह सुहावने मौसम का आनंद लेने में बहुत व्यस्त था और उसने भविष्य के बारे में नहीं सोचा था। चींटी, जो सर्दियों की तैयारी में व्यस्त थी, नाराज हो गई और उसने क्रिकेट को गाने और नाचने के लिए सर्दी बिताने के लिए कहा। चींटी ने फिर तेजी से बातचीत समाप्त की और झींगुर को अपने घर से बाहर धकेल दिया। कवि यह कहते हुए समाप्त करता है कि यह कहानी वास्तविकता का प्रतिबिंब है, क्योंकि बहुत से लोग भविष्य के बारे में नहीं सोचते हैं और तैयारी के महत्व को तभी समझते हैं जब बहुत देर हो चुकी होती है।
The Explanation of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
Stanza 1
A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing
Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring,
Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter was come.
Not a crumb to be found
On the snow-covered ground;
Not a flower could he see,
Not a leaf on a tree.
“Oh! what will become,” says the cricket, “of me?”
Important Word Meaning
Accustomed to sing: The phrase “Accustomed to sing” means someone is used to singing or has a habit of singing.
Gay: Referring to a color that is vivid or flamboyant and referring to a personality or behavior that is free from worries or serious concerns.
Crumb: A crumb is a small fragment of something, typically food, that has broken off from a larger piece or has been left behind. For example, a crumb of bread or a crumb of cake.
Explanation
This stanza is from the poem “The Ant and the Cricket” by Jean de La Fontaine. The stanza describes a young cricket who used to sing happily during the warm and sunny months of summer and spring. However, as winter arrives, the cricket realizes that his cupboard is empty, and he has no food stored for the winter. The ground is covered with snow, and there is no flower or leaf to be seen. The cricket starts to worry about what will happen to him since he has no food or shelter to survive the winter. This stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem, highlighting the cricket’s foolishness in not preparing for the winter like the ants who worked hard and stored food for the colder months.
Stanza 2
At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold,
Away he set off to a miserly ant,
To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant
Him shelter from rain,
And a mouthful of grain.
He wished only to borrow;
He’d repay it tomorrow;
If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow
Important Word Meaning
Starvation: Starvation is a severe lack of food or essential nutrients that can lead to malnutrition, weakness, illness, and even death.
Famine: Famine refers to a widespread scarcity of food and water that can lead to starvation and death, usually caused by natural disasters, war, or other humanitarian crises
Dripping: “Dripping” typically refers to the slow and steady flow of liquid, usually in drops or a thin stream.
Trembling: “Trembling” refers to a shaking or quivering of the body, often caused by fear, anxiety, or cold temperatures.
Miserly: “Miserly” refers to a person who is very reluctant to spend money and is extremely stingy or tight-fisted with their resources.
Shelter: “Shelter” refers to a place that provides protection or safety from the elements, danger, or harm.
Mouthful: “Mouthful” refers to the amount of food or liquid that can be held or consumed by the mouth at one time.
Borrow: “Borrow” means to take or receive something, usually temporarily, with the intention of returning it later.
Sorrow: “Sorrow” refers to a feeling of deep sadness or grief, often caused by a tragic or unfortunate event.
Explanation
The stanza is from a poem titled “The Ant and the Cricket” and it tells the story of a cricket who, after spending the summer singing and dancing, is unprepared for the harsh winter ahead. The cricket is now suffering from starvation and cold, and in a state of desperation, he goes to an ant who he thinks might help him. The cricket is described as “dripping with wet” and “trembling with cold” which emphasizes how vulnerable and weak he is at this point. He approaches the “miserly ant” with the hope that he will be provided with shelter from the rain and a mouthful of grain to keep him alive. The cricket only wishes to borrow and promises to repay the ant tomorrow. He knows that if he is not given help, he will die of starvation and sorrow. This stanza highlights the importance of preparation and hard work, as the ant has been diligently storing food for the winter while the cricket has been wasting time. The cricket’s desperation is palpable, and the stanza emphasizes the contrast between the two characters – the ant, who is prepared and responsible, and the cricket, who is unprepared and now begging for help.
Stanza 3
Says the ant to the cricket, “I’m your servant and friend,
But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.
But tell me, dear cricket, did you lay nothing by
When the weather was warm?” Quoth the cricket, “Not I!
My heart was so light
That I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay.”
“You sang, Sir, you say?
Go then,” says the ant, “and dance the winter away.”
Important Word Meaning
Lay nothing by: save nothing
Quoth: (old english) said
Explanation
This stanza is from the poem “The Ant and the Cricket” and it follows the previous stanza where the cricket, desperate for food and shelter, goes to the ant for help. The ant tells the cricket that while he is his friend, ants neither lend nor borrow. The ant then asks the cricket if he saved anything for the winter when it was warm, and the cricket admits that he did not save anything. Instead, he was carefree and sang and danced all summer long, not thinking about the future. The ant’s response to the cricket is one of rebuke and reproach. He tells the cricket to go ahead and dance away the winter since he did not prepare for it. The stanza serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of planning and saving for the future. It highlights the consequences of living for the moment without thinking about the future, as the cricket is now suffering in the winter while the ant is comfortable because he worked hard and saved for it. The ant’s response also suggests that there are consequences for one’s actions and that one must take responsibility for their choices.
Stanza 4
Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket,
And out of the door turned the poor little cricket.
Folks call this a fable. I’ll warrant it true:
Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.
Important Word Meaning
Hastily: with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly
Lifted the wicket: put an end to the conversation (here)
Fable: a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral
Warrant: Warrant means to assure or guarantee something is true or will happen, justify or support a claim, or an official document authorizing a specific action.
Explanation
This stanza is the concluding part of the poem “The Ant and the Cricket” and describes how the ant reacts to the cricket’s plea for help. The ant rejects the cricket’s request for food, reminding the cricket of the times when it could have prepared for the winter instead of singing away its time. The ant then shuts the door on the cricket, leaving it to its fate. The last two lines of the stanza reflect the narrator’s perspective on the story. The narrator implies that the story may be considered a fable, but he believes that it contains a truth that is applicable in real life. He then makes a witty remark by saying that while some crickets may have four legs, and some have two, the point of the story is not about the number of legs a cricket has but about the consequences of failing to prepare for the future.
Poet of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
The Poet of the poem “The Ant and the Cricket” is Aesop.
About the Poet of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
•Aesop was a great Greek fabulist (one who writes fables is called fabulist) and storyteller credited with a number of world famous fables now collectively known as Aesop’s fables.|
•Aesop was born in 620 BCE.
•He died in 564 BCE
Theme of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
The poem ‘the ant and the cricket’ has a message: if we only enjoy today, we might suffer tomorrow. The cricket enjoyed singing and dancing in summer and spring, but didn’t save anything for winter. When winter arrived, he didn’t have anything to eat and suffered from hunger. The ants, on the other hand, worked hard during summer to prepare for winter. This shows the importance of hard work and planning for the future.
Main Idea of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
The poem is about a cricket that did not think about the future and just had fun. However, there was also an ant who worked hard all the time to save food for when times get tough. The ant had self-respect because of its hard work and was not scared of the bad weather. Unfortunately, the cricket did not plan for the bad weather and suffered a tragic death. So we should save for the future.
Moral of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
It’s important to work hard for what we want, especially when we face challenges. We should also remember that what we save today will be helpful for us in the future, so it’s important to save and be prepared. To put it simply, we should work hard, save money, and be ready for difficult times.
Conclusion of the Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
The poem teaches us not to be like the cricket, who did not prepare for the future and suffered when difficult times came. It’s important to plan ahead and be prepared so that we don’t have to rely on others for help. The poem also teaches us to be helpful to others, unlike the ant who did not share its food with the cricket. So, we should not only be prepared for ourselves but also be kind and helpful to others in need.
Rhyme Scheme of the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
The rhyme scheme of the poem “The Ant and the Cricket ” is aabbccddd.
Poetic Devices In The Poem “The Ant and the Cricket”
1. Personification: Personification is a literary device that attributes human characteristics, emotions, or actions to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts. In this poem, the ant and the cricket are personified.
2. Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. In this line, “Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.”, the poet has compared lazy humans with the cricket.
3. Alliteration: the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. “When the weather was warm?” (when, weather, warm). You sang, Sir, you say? ( sang, sir, say).
Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Poem The Ant and the Cricket
Question 1. Why does cricket go to the ant in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. In the poem “The Ant and the Cricket,” the cricket goes to the ant because it is cold and hungry and has no food or shelter for the winter. The cricket had spent the summer season singing and playing, without making any preparations for the future. When winter arrived, the cricket found itself without any food or shelter and realized its mistake.
Question 2. What did the ant tell the cricket in its response in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. In the poem “The Ant and the Cricket,” when the cricket asks the ant for food, the ant responds that they neither borrow from somebody nor lend to somebody. And also responds by reminding the cricket about its own lack of preparation for the winter. The ant tells the cricket that it spent the summer gathering and storing food to prepare for the winter, while the cricket spent the summer singing and playing without any thought for the future. The ant says that it cannot give the cricket any food because it would be unfair to other ants who had worked hard to collect the food.
Question 3. What did the ant ask the cricket in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. In the poem “The Ant and the Cricket,” the ant asks the cricket why it did not store food for the winter when it was busy singing and enjoying during the summer season. The ant had been working hard to collect and store food for the winter, while the cricket was carefree and did not think about the future. When the winter arrived, the cricket had no food to eat and was left hungry and cold.
Question 4. When was cricket happy in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. In the poem “The Ant and the Cricket,” the cricket was happy during the summer season when it was singing and playing. The poem describes the cricket as carefree and enjoying its time without any worries or concerns. However, the cricket’s happiness was short-lived as it did not prepare for the winter and was left hungry and cold when the season changed. This highlights the importance of planning and preparing for the future, so we can avoid being unhappy in difficult times.
Question 5. Why did the cricket complain in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. In the poem “The Ant and the Cricket,” the cricket complains because it did not prepare for the winter and is now hungry and cold. The cricket spent the entire summer singing and playing, without thinking about the future or saving any food. When winter arrived, the cricket had nothing to eat, and it was freezing in the cold weather. The cricket realizes its mistake and regrets not working hard and preparing for the winter like the ant had done.
The cricket’s complaint serves as a warning to the reader about the consequences of not being prepared for the future. It reminds us that hard work and diligence are necessary to succeed in life, and we should not be careless or lazy in our approach.
Question 6. What is the moral of the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. The moral of the poem “The Ant and the Cricket” is that hard work, planning, and preparation are essential for a successful life. The poem contrasts the carefree and lazy attitude of the cricket with the hardworking and diligent nature of the ant. The ant works hard to gather and store food for the winter, while the cricket spends its time singing and playing without any thought for the future. When winter comes, the ant is prepared and has enough food to survive, while the cricket suffers and eventually dies.
The poem teaches us the importance of being responsible, working hard, and planning ahead. It reminds us that we must not only enjoy the present but also think about the future and be prepared for any eventualities. In short, the moral of the poem is that diligence and hard work are the keys to success, and we should always be prepared for difficult times by saving and planning ahead.
Question 7. The cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me? “When does he say it, and why in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. In the poem “The Ant and the Cricket,” the cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me?” when winter arrives, and he realizes that he has not saved any food to survive the cold and harsh weather. The cricket had spent the entire summer singing and having fun without worrying about the future or preparing for the winter. When the winter finally arrives, the cricket is left with nothing to eat, and he realizes that he is in trouble. This is why he says, “Oh! What will become of me?” as he faces the consequences of his lack of preparation and planning.
Question 8. ‘I am your servant and friend’ – who said this to whom in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer. The ant said this to the cricket.
Question 9. Was the ant right in not helping the cricket in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”? Give your reason/reasons.
Answer. The ant in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket” refused to help the cricket by not sharing its food, which can be seen as selfish behavior. However, the ant’s decision not to help the cricket can also be viewed as reasonable and justifiable.
The ant had worked hard to collect and save food for the winter, and it did not want to give away its hard-earned food to the cricket, who had spent the summer singing and having fun without thinking about the future. From the ant’s point of view, it would not have been fair to share its food with the cricket who had not worked hard to prepare for the winter.
In this sense, the ant’s decision not to help the cricket can be seen as a lesson in the importance of planning, hard work, and responsibility. The poem teaches us that it is important to prepare for the future and to be responsible for ourselves so that we do not have to rely on the help of others.