Comparison of the Ant and the Grasshopper Essay

Some people live life like it is their last day alive, spending everything. Some other people save every penny they own. Which way of life produces a better life? What should people do with their money? In the fable, â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper† and the modern fable, â€Å"The Richer, the Poorer,† the main characters reflect two opposite views of how to live life. Both the ant from â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper,† and Lottie from â€Å"The Richer, the Poorer,† concern themselves with preparation and comforts of life. For example, the ant from â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper† was a very hard worker. During the summer, he worked hard, saving food for the winter. He sacrificed fun and other obstacles so he wouldn’t starve to death during winter. Likewise, Lottie is similar to the ant, even though she is human. She was a laborer, who was always trying to hold up a job. She sacrificed buying candy as a child, and saved every penny that she earned, so she could use it when she really needed it. Lottie lived a very comfortable life, and often scolded her sister, Bess, for the way Bess didn’t save money like her. Near the end of the story, Lottie lets Bess move in with her, and had to do loads of work to prepare and take care of her. Thus, these two characters plan to keep their lives secure with hard work, saving, and sacrifice. Unlike Lottie and the ant, Bess and grasshopper live for the day. For example, the Grasshopper, from â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper,† spent the summer singing and having fun, living his life to the fullest. Likewise, Bess, from â€Å"The Richer, the Poorer,† spends her time traveling the world. She spends every penny she earns, living life full of laughter and fun, even though she was in rags, not riches. She owns very few possessions, but still has fun with her life. These two characters live a very fun, joyful life. These four characters learn a valuable lesson. They shouldn’t work all the time so they can enjoy life later without enjoying it at the present, but they should not just spend everything they have, because they need some planning in their life so they don’t live in rags. Lottie wasted a lot of her life planning and saving for the future, while Bess lived a fun life, but had hardships in her life that Lottie never had. And had the Grasshopper prepared, he wouldn’t have had to be hungry for the winter. One should balance work and play to have the best life.