The Cicada and the Ant
Playing the lute and singing joyfully all summer long, the cicada spent his days without making any preparation for winter. The industrious ant, on the other hand, sweated during hot summer days and prepared by carrying winter provisions to her nest. When winter arrived and everywhere was covered with snow and ice, the cicada who had no food was helpless with cold and hunger. The cicada went to the industrious ant's door and begged for help by asking for a loan of food.
The ant asked the cicada "What were you doing all summer while I was working?" The cicada answered "I sang and had fun joyfully all summer." The ant shut her door saying "If you sang in the summer, then dance in the winter." Those who do not take precautions in time and indulge in pleasure are left alone with hunger and helplessness when hard times arrive.
Whoever works in summer rests in winter. Whoever takes precautions in time suffers no hardship. Do not put off today's work until tomorrow. The breadbasket is filled with sweat.
Whoever works hard in summer eats well in winter. Fun times pass, lack of preparation remains. The unprepared succumbs to winter.