Q. The cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me?” When does he say it, and why?
Ans. The cricket speaks these words when in his home he finds no food to eat in winter.
Q. Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).
Ans. The line is: But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.
Q. What is your opinion of the ant’s principles?
Ans. The ant’s principle is not bad. It teaches a lesson to everybody to plan for the rainy day.
Q. The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away.” Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why?
Ans. The word ‘dance’ here means ‘merry making and wasting time.’ It is appropriate here. The irresponsible cricket does not deserve any sympathy.
Q. Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.
Ans. The poet’s comment is expressed in the last two lines. “Folks call this a fable, I’ll warrant it true.”
Q. Write the comment in your own words.
Ans. People say that this story of the cricket and the ant is imaginary or a fable with a moral. But I think that the story is true and educative. Some people live only in the present. They spend what they earn, and make merry. But they regret this habit later on.
Q. If you know a fable in your own language narrate it to your classmates.
Ans.