One day a poor farmer was taking a bag of rice to a town. Suddenly the bag fell off his horse on the road. He didn’t know what to do about it because it was too heavy for him to lift by himself. He only hoped that somebody would soon pass by and help him. Just at this moment a man riding a horse came up to him. But the farmer was very disappointed when he saw who he was. It was the great man living nearby. The farmer had hoped to ask another farmer or a poor man like him.

But to his surprise, the great man got off his horse as soon as he came near. He said to the farmer, “I see you need help, friend. How good it is that I’m here just at the right time.” Then he took one end of the bag, and the farmer took the other. They together lifted and put it on the horse. “Sir” asked the farmer, “how can I pay you?” “It’s quite easy” the great man answered with a smile, “Wherever you see anyone else in trouble, do the same for him.”

A hungry dog wants to find some food to eat. But he can’t find any food. He is very hungry. He goes into the forest. Some workers work there. The dog sees a big tree with a hole（洞） in it. And a box is in the hole. He opens the box and finds much bread, meat and fruit in it. He is very happy. The food is the workers’ lunch. They put the food here to keep（保持）it safe（安全的）. The dog eats the food happily. Then he wants to go out to have some water. But he finds he can’t get out of（从……出来）the hole.

Do you know why? Yes, the dog eats too much food. So he is too big and he can’t get out of the hole. Everyone must think about it first before he or she does something.

One sunny day, a happy grasshopper (蚱蜢) is dancing, singing and playing his violin. He sees an ant working.

“Come and sing with me,” says the grasshopper, “Let’s have fun together.” “I muststorefood for winter,” says the ant, “and you should do the same.”

“Don’t worry about winter. It’s summer now. Winter is still very far away.” says the grasshopper, laughing at the ant. But the ant keeps working.

When winter comes, the hungry grasshopper goes to the ant’s house and asks for something to eat. “If you listen to me in summer, you will not be hungry,” says the ant. “I’m afraid you have to go to bed without supper.” Then he closes the door.

The lesson of the grasshopper is useful to us. Don’t you think so?

We should learn from ants. Work today, and you are sure to get more tomorrow. Whether you believe it or not, the truth is there. But a study shows that many people don’t care much about finishing their work before enjoying themselves. They believe in living in the moment. The key is, therefore, to find a balance between work and play. Work well, and save for a rainy day.