The Crickets
Long, long ago, cheerful people lived beside an old forest where cool waters flowed. They spent their days working, tilling the soil and talking around the evening fire. One day the Muses came down to earth and began their most enchanting songs. Even the wind in the forest stopped suddenly to listen to those sweet melodies. When the people heard those mighty voices, they were spellbound and abandoned their work. Enchanted by the songs, a young group followed the Muses deep into the forest. Through the heat of day and the moonlight of night they sang without pause.
Days passed, yet these ardent youths thought neither of eating nor of drinking. One of them said faintly, "Music feeds our souls; we need nothing else." Another whispered with shining eyes, "May this song never end, may it last forever." The village elders came to the forest and urged them to return home. But the music-loving youths could not break free from the enchanting melodies. Their bodies weakened from hunger and weariness, yet their wish to sing never faded. At last their knees gave way; they sank down and closed their eyes.
Moved by such devotion and passion, the Muses hurried at once to help them. They used their magic to reward the young people's endless love of music. They turned the bodies lying on the ground into tiny, winged, charming crickets. They were granted the gift of singing joyfully all summer without food or drink. From that day on, these small creatures gladdened the summer branches with their song. The noble passions that bind us to life go on living beyond time itself. He who toils in summer feasts in winter.