The very hard working ant

A sunny tale of friends and seasons.

Grade 1: Early readers10 pages

Ants work very hard. The grasshopper does not. The ant works hard during the winter to save food. The grasshopper does not.

Characters

Ants

Grasshopper

Urban Street Collage

Story Arc

Summer days were long and warm. Ants worked hard in the bright sun. They carried tiny seeds and crumbs. Their painted cube was heavy to pull.

The Grasshopper loved to play. He sang happy songs all day long. “Come play with me!” he called to Ants. Ants just kept on working hard.

Ants gathered food for their home. Their pantry grew big and full. The Grasshopper watched them run by. He still loved to sing and eat.

Days turned cooler, leaves turned red. Ants hurried to finish their work. They knew winter would soon be here. Grasshopper still played in the sun.

A cold wind whispered through the trees. Ants closed their tiny burrow door. They had much food safely inside. The Grasshopper shivered a little.

The first snowflakes floated down. White powder covered the cold ground. Grasshopper looked for a warm place. He had no food, nor a home.

Grasshopper grew cold and very hungry. His stomach rumbled and ached. He walked slowly past Ants’ warm door. Smoke curled from a tiny chimney.

Grasshopper knocked on the small door. A tiny crack opened up. An Ant peeked out, eyes full of care. “Hello?” asked the Ant softly.

Ants saw the cold Grasshopper. They brought him warm food to eat. Grasshopper ate it all up. He felt warm and safe at last.

Next spring, Grasshopper worked very hard. He helped Ants gather new seeds. He saved food for winter days. Ants smiled, happy for their friend.

Make one of your own next.

crumbs: Tiny pieces of food that have fallen off.; They carried tiny seeds and crumbs.
painted: Covered with color, like in a picture.; Their painted cube was heavy to pull.
pantry: A place where food is kept, like a small room or closet.; Their pantry grew big and full.
hurried: Moved very fast to get somewhere quickly.; Ants hurried to finish their work.
whispered: Spoke very softly, like the wind moving gently.; A cold wind whispered through the trees.
burrow: A hole or tunnel in the ground that animals live in.; Ants closed their tiny burrow door.
safely: Without any danger or harm.; They had much food safely inside.
snowflakes: Tiny pieces of snow that fall from the sky.; The first snowflakes floated down.
powder: Something very soft and fine, like dust or very small bits.; White powder covered the cold ground.
rumbled: Made a low, rolling sound, like a hungry tummy.; His stomach rumbled and ached.
ached: Felt a dull pain or hurt.; His stomach rumbled and ached.
chimney: A pipe that lets smoke out of a house.; Smoke curled from a tiny chimney.
peeked: Looked quickly at something, especially through a small opening.; An Ant peeked out, eyes full of care.
care: Kindness and concern for others.; An Ant peeked out, eyes full of care.