The grasshopper and the ant

The Grasshopper, having sung

All summer,

Found herself extremely deprived

When the cold winds began to blow:

Not even one small morsel

Of a fly or a worm.

She cried famine

At the home of her neighbour the Ant,

And entreated her to lend her

Some grain on which to subsist

Until the next season.

"I shall pay you", she told her,

"Before august, upon my word as an animal,

Both interest and principal."

The Ant is not a money-lender -

That's the least of her problems!

"How did you spend the warm days?"

She asked this borrower.

"Night and day, to all who came,

I sang, if you don't mind."

"You sang? I am glad.

Well! now you can go dance."