Preparedness The Ant & The Grasshopper There once lived a grasshopper who was very unprepared.   He never did his homework, he never saved his money, and he seldom thought about anyone but himself.   All he did was play all day. “Unprepared, unprepared, I hate to work, I’d rather play.   I’ll get prepared some other day”, the grasshopper thought to himself. One day, while resting under a milkweed, he saw an ant march by, and as he passed he heard him say: Our prophet tells us to prepare So we’ll be strong and steady. Whatever happens in our lives He wants us to be ready. Be prepared our prophet says. Think about tomorrow. Be prepared for everything. Then you will never sorrow. The ant marched away and looked so busy.  He was storing food for the winter. “Ha, ha, ha! Who cares about being prepared? The sun is so nice and warm, and there is ever so many good things to eat in the garden next door. Why I’ll never run out of food.  Unprepared, unprepared, people say I’m unprepared.  I hate to work, I’d rather play, I’ll get prepared some other day”, laughed the grasshopper. A few days passed, and the grasshopper played and played.  While he was playing leapfrog over some toadstools, he saw the ant carrying a pile of heavy books home.  He asked the ant was he was doing. “I’m studying! I study my spelling words, do my homework, and I love to read, read, read.  My teacher tells me I’m an A+ ant, because I’m prepared for school every day”, replied the ant. I want to learn, I study hard To get an education. I never, ever miss a day Unless I’m on vacation. Be prepared, our prophet says. Think about tomorrow. Be prepared for everything, Then you will never sorrow! “Gosh”, thought the grasshopper, “I’m impressed.   I want to be an A+ grasshopper, too. I’ll start tomorrow.” And then he hopped away and continued to play. A few days later, grasshopper was sunning himself on a cattail, when the ant rode by on a new bike. “Where did you get that?”, asked the grasshopper. “I worked for it. I did some jobs ever day after school and saved, saved, saved my money for a long time”, replied the ant. Save your money every day Don’t spend it all on candy. Work and budget what you earn Then buy something just dandy. Be prepared our prophet says. Think about tomorrow Be prepared for everything Then you will never sorrow! “Oh, I want a bicycle just like yours!”, exclaimed the grasshopper, “I think I’ll start saving tomorrow.   Today I’m going to buy a candy bar.” “Unprepared, unprepared, people say I’m unprepared.   I hate to work, I’d rather play.   I’ll get prepared some other day”, he sang as he hopped off to spend the only quarter he had. A few days later, Ant came by wearing the neatest looking jogging suit. Grasshopper looked at his own ratty outfit and said, “Gee, where’d you buy your clothes? I can’t find anything to fit me.   I have such long legs.” “Oh, I don’t buy my clothes, I sewed it myself, and it only cost five dollars!”, replied Ant. I learned to sew clothes for myself They seem to turn out nicely The things I make are tailor-made And always fit precisely. Be prepared, our prophet says. Think about tomorrow. Be prepared for everything, Then you will never sorrow! “Oh, I’d love a new jogging suit!” said Grasshopper, “I’m going to learn to sew.... tomorrow.   Unprepared, unprepared, people say I’m unprepared.   I hate to work, I’d rather play.   I’ll get prepared some other day.” said Grasshopper and off he hopped to play a game of tag. A few days later, grasshopper was trying to see how high he could jump. “I used to be pretty good at jumping, but now it makes me tired.” Grasshopper thought to himself. “I think I’ll go and rest.” But just then the ant came by with a basketball, going to practice. “Hello, grasshopper!” Do you want to come to practice with me?   We need a good jumper on our team.” “Oh, that sounds like fun,” said Grasshopper, “but I’m too tired.” “Hmm, do you eat lots of fruits and vegetables to give your body energy?” asked Ant. “No, I live on junk food.” replied Grasshopper. “And do you give yourself plenty of rest at night?” questioned Ant. “No, I like to watch the late show on TV.” said Grasshopper with a yawn. “Oh grasshopper, I’m sorry that you’re not prepared.” replied Ant. Our bodies need good exercise and food to keep us going. We must be smart and eat good food To keep us strong and growing. Be prepared, our prophet says, Think about tomorrow Be prepared for everything Then you will never sorrow. And the ant dribbled the ball down the street.   Now grasshopper started to feel a little sad.   He hadn’t thought that being prepared was very important, but he surely hated to miss that basketball game because he wasn’t in shape. “Unprepared, unprepared, people say I’m unprepared.  I hate to work, I love to play. So why can’t I play ball today?” thought Grasshopper sadly. And he sat down on a milkweed and started to think.  He started to think about storing some food to eat when it wasn’t so plentiful.  He started to think about saving his money to buy something really special. He started to think about keeping his body strong and healthy and in good shape, and he started thinking about learning skills he didn’t know now to be more self reliant.  He was still thinking when ant walked by that day, all decked out in his Sunday suit.  He was going to church. 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