THE ANT AND THE FLY
An Ant and a Fly were contending with great warmth which was of the greater importance. The Fly was the first to begin: “Can you possibly compare with my endowments? When a sacrifice is made, I am the first to taste of the entrails that belong to the Gods. I pass my time among the altars, I wander through all the temples; soon as I have espied it, I seat myself on the head of a king; and I taste of the chaste kisses of matrons. I labour not, and yet enjoy the nicest of things: what like to this, good rustic, falls to your lot?” “Eating with the Gods,” said the Ant, “is certainly a thing to be boasted of; but by him who is invited, not him who is loathed as an intruder. You talk about kings and the kisses of matrons. While I am carefully heaping up a stock of grain for winter, I see you feeding on filth about the walls. You frequent the altars; yes, and are driven away as often as you come. You labour not; therefore it is that you have nothing when you stand in need of it. And, further, you boast about what modesty ought to conceal. You tease me in summer; when winter comes you are silent. While the cold is shrivelling you up and putting you to death, a well-stored abode harbours me. Surely I have now pulled down your pride enough.”
Which moral lesson is this fable intended to teach?
(1 point)
Responses
Those who work hard should be proud of their accomplishments.
Those who work hard should be proud of their accomplishments.
Positive results come from understanding other points of view.
Positive results come from understanding other points of view.
Associating with society’s best is a sign of success.
Associating with society’s best is a sign of success.
Determining one’s social worth is an important step toward maturity.
1 answer
The moral lesson this fable is intended to teach is:
Those who work hard should be proud of their accomplishments.
The Ant emphasizes the importance of hard work and preparation for the future, contrasting it with the Fly's reliance on being in the company of others without contributing or preparing.
