The Greedy Ants and the Great Winter
The Greedy Ants and the Great Winter
This fable tells the story of three different types of ants in a colony. Some ants make promises they cannot keep. Others want things they cannot afford. When winter comes, the whole colony faces big problems. This story teaches us about money, trust, and making smart choices.
Once upon a time, there was a big colony of ants who lived in a beautiful valley.
Once upon a time, there was a big colony of ants who lived in a beautiful valley.
These ants were very different from other ants.
These ants were very different from other ants.
They did not like to work hard or save food for winter.
They did not like to work hard or save food for winter.
In this colony, there were three types of ants: The Banker Ants wore fancy hats.
In this colony, there were three types of ants: The Banker Ants wore fancy hats.
They promised other ants: "Give us your seeds now.
They promised other ants: "Give us your seeds now.
We will give you back many more seeds later!"
We will give you back many more seeds later!"
Many ants believed them.
Many ants believed them.
The House Ants wanted big, beautiful homes.
The House Ants wanted big, beautiful homes.
They said: "We don't have enough seeds now, but we will have many seeds next year!"
They said: "We don't have enough seeds now, but we will have many seeds next year!"
So they borrowed seeds from the Banker Ants.
So they borrowed seeds from the Banker Ants.
The Worker Ants worked every day.
The Worker Ants worked every day.
They saved their seeds and lived in small, simple homes.
They saved their seeds and lived in small, simple homes.
For many summers, life was good.
For many summers, life was good.
The Banker Ants gave seeds to anyone who asked.
The Banker Ants gave seeds to anyone who asked.
The House Ants built bigger and bigger homes.
The House Ants built bigger and bigger homes.
Everyone was happy.
Everyone was happy.
But the Banker Ants did something very dangerous.
But the Banker Ants did something very dangerous.
They took the promises from House Ants and mixed them together.
They took the promises from House Ants and mixed them together.
Then they sold these mixed promises to other ants.
Then they sold these mixed promises to other ants.
"These are magic seeds!"
"These are magic seeds!"
they said.
they said.
"They will always grow!"
"They will always grow!"
The House Ants bought homes that cost too many seeds.
The House Ants bought homes that cost too many seeds.
They thought: "My home will be worth more seeds next year.
They thought: "My home will be worth more seeds next year.
Then I can pay back what I owe."
Then I can pay back what I owe."
Even Worker Ants started to believe.
Even Worker Ants started to believe.
Some bought big homes too.
Some bought big homes too.
Others gave their saved seeds to Banker Ants who promised: "Your seeds will double!"
Others gave their saved seeds to Banker Ants who promised: "Your seeds will double!"
Then, one day, something terrible happened.
Then, one day, something terrible happened.
A House Ant could not pay back his seeds.
A House Ant could not pay back his seeds.
Then another House Ant could not pay.
Then another House Ant could not pay.
Then many House Ants could not pay.
Then many House Ants could not pay.
The Banker Ants looked at their magic promises.
The Banker Ants looked at their magic promises.
They were not magic at all!
They were not magic at all!
They were worth nothing!
They were worth nothing!
The great winter came suddenly.
The great winter came suddenly.
House Ants lost their homes.
House Ants lost their homes.
Banker Ants had no seeds to give back.
Banker Ants had no seeds to give back.
Worker Ants who had trusted the Banker Ants lost all their saved seeds.
Worker Ants who had trusted the Banker Ants lost all their saved seeds.
The whole colony was hungry and cold.
The whole colony was hungry and cold.
The wise old Queen Ant had to help.
The wise old Queen Ant had to help.
She gave seeds from the royal storage to feed everyone.
She gave seeds from the royal storage to feed everyone.
But it took many years for the colony to heal.
But it took many years for the colony to heal.
Many ants learned an important lesson: When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Many ants learned an important lesson: When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
It is better to work hard, save carefully, and not be greedy.
It is better to work hard, save carefully, and not be greedy.
But sadly, some ants forgot this lesson.
But sadly, some ants forgot this lesson.
And somewhere, other colonies of ants are making the same mistakes again.
And somewhere, other colonies of ants are making the same mistakes again.
Moral: Greed and easy promises can destroy even the strongest communities.
Moral: Greed and easy promises can destroy even the strongest communities.
True wealth comes from hard work, careful saving, and helping each other.
True wealth comes from hard work, careful saving, and helping each other.