Fairy Tales and Fables That Might Have Their Origins in Biblical Parables

Fables and fairytales are told, again and again, for many, many generations. Some of the most famous stories – like The Tortoise and the Hare or The Fox and the Crow – are the masterpieces of Aesop, a Greek storyteller.

However, were these stories really a product of his imagination? Or were they inspired by some parables found in the Bible?

#1. The Ant and the Grasshopper

The Ant and the Grasshopper is an old story that you may have heard back in your childhood (and it seems that with the new generations, we hear it less now). But for those who have never heard about it, the story goes like this:

“Once there lived an ant and a grasshopper in a grassy meadow.

During summer, all day long, the ant would work hard, collecting grains of wheat from the farmer’s field far away. She would then store the grain of wheat carefully in her larder and then hurry back to the field to work more. And, that’s how her days were spent, without stop or rest, scurrying back and forth from the field, collecting the grains of wheat and storing them carefully in her larder.

On the other hand, the grasshopper was enjoying the summer, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. He was not bothered about winter at all. Instead, he would look at the ant and laugh. ‘Why do you work so hard, dear ant?’ he would say. ‘Come, rest a while, listen to my song. Summer is here, the days are long and bright. Why waste the sunshine in labor and toil?’

The ant would always ignore him and head bent, would just hurry to the field a little faster. This would make the grasshopper laugh even louder.

However, summer faded quickly and winter showed its face. The bright sunny days were replaced with long, dark and freezing ones. Gone was the grasshopper’s desire to sing and make music. He was cold, with no shelter from the snow and hungry, with nothing to eat. That’s when he thought of the ant.

He went to her house, knocked at her door and begged for food. When the ant asked him, “Haven’t you stored anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer?”

“I was so busy making music that before I knew it the summer was gone.” whined the grasshoper.

“Making music, were you?” they cried. “Very well, now dance!” And the ant turned her back on him.”

The moral of the story is this: There is a time to play and there is a time to work.

But, how interesting that the Bible contains not on, but two proverbs that reflect the same message.

• Proverbs 6:6-8: “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.”
• Proverbs 30:25: “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.”

Yes, I know that God is the one who created us and thus, He will take care of us. But, remember that God gave us free will and hence, we have to take our responsibility. God has already made so much for us and of course, He will continue to do so, but we have our share of responsibility. And, like ants, we should know how to plan, prepare and save.

Here’s a Small Prayer:

“My dear God, please give me your wisdom so as I might be prepared for the future. Open my eyes and help me to be a better steward of the resources You have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Now, there are more and more fables that we have to discover. And, if this subject interest you, why don’t you come back for part 2?