Tara

9 Preparation

1	A Grasshopper one day passed a line of Ants,
2	As they carried supplies of food to their nest.
3	The Grasshopper said to the Ant at the head of the line:
4	It is a beautiful day. There is plenty of food.
5	Why then do you toil when instead you could play and sing as I?
6	The Ant replied: Dear Sir, while Indeed it be a fine day and they’re be plenty of food,
7	We prepare for the worst so that when the harshest winter comes, we do not die of hunger.
8	The Grasshopper replied: You silly Ant. Life will provide for us without our worry.
9	If you do not enjoy such moments, then you will have none.
10	But soon a harsh and bitter winter was upon the land,
11	And the Grasshopper near death came upon an Ant guarding the nest and cried:
12	Please sir, have pity on a poor Grasshopper with nothing to eat.
13	The Ant replied: Alas you poor selfish fool! When it was time to prepare, you mocked us.
14	Now in your time of need you demand we sacrifice our own survival.
15	Be gone! For there is no benefit in helping a selfish spirit that has no desire to first help themselves.