The Ant and the Cricket : ncert solution class 8

Working with the poem.

1. The cricket says, “Oh! What will become of me?” When does he say it? and why?

Ans:-The cricket says on the approaching of the winter season because of the scarcity of his food. Nothing was left for him to eat in the winter.

2. (i). Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare).

Ans:-"We ants never borrow; we ants never lend".

(ii) What is your opinion of the ant’s principle?

Ans:-The ant's principles indicate selfish nature. I don’t like it at all. I think a friend should be helped whenever he/she needs it. If it is done, friendship does not last long.

3. The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away”. Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate? If so, why?

Ans:-The ant tells the cricket to "dance the winter away" is appropriate here. The ant wanted to give him a lesson that dancing is good but we should not forget our future needs during our dance. The ant wants to convey to him that the cricket himself is responsible for his starvation.

4. (i) Which lines in the poem express the poet’s comment? Read them aloud.

Ans:-"Folks call this a fable.

I will warrant it true.

Some crickets have four legs, and some have two".

(ii) Write the comment in your own words.

Ans:-It is true that some people don't pay attention to their future needs. They forget their future enjoying their life. When they grow old they find themselves running out of money. Ultimately they face a lot of stresses in their life. They behave in the very same way as the cricket in the poem.