Section 204
The Ant explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
Ants were once men and made their living by tilling the soil. But, not content with the results of their own work, they were always casting longing eyes upon the crops and fruits of their neighbours, which they stole, whenever they got the chance, and added to their own store....
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Public-domain original
Ants were once men and made their living by tilling the soil. But, not
content with the results of their own work, they were always casting
longing eyes upon the crops and fruits of their neighbours, which they
stole, whenever they got the chance, and added to their own store. At
last their covetousness made so angry that he changed them
into Ants. But, though their forms were changed, their nature remained
the same: and so, to this day, they go about among the cornfields and
gather the fruits of others' labour, and store them up for their own
use.
You may punish a thief, but his bent remains.
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
Ants were once men and made their living by tilling the soil.
Why this scene matters
This fable matters because it turns the lesson “You may punish a thief, but his bent remains.” into a compact story about everyday judgment.
Characters in this scene
- The Ant: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
Ants were once men and made their living by tilling the soil. But, not content with the results of their own work, they were always casting longing eyes upon the crops and fruits of their neighbours, which they stole, whenever they got the chance, and added to their own store.