Let’s go through each fable one by one and figure out the moral or theme — what lesson the story is trying to teach.
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1. The Ant and the Grasshopper
The grasshopper spent all summer singing and playing, while the ant worked hard to store food for winter. When winter came, the grasshopper had nothing to eat and was starving, while the ant was safe and fed.
→ What did the grasshopper learn?
He learned that you should prepare for the future instead of just enjoying today. If you don’t work now, you’ll suffer later.
→ How does this relate to the story?
The grasshopper ignored the ant’s advice to save food. He thought “why bother?” because he had plenty right then. But when winter came, his lack of planning caused him to starve. The ant’s hard work paid off. So the lesson is:
Work hard today so you’re ready for tomorrow.
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2. The Monkey and the Cookies
The monkey grabbed too many cookies at once. His hand got stuck in the jar because he wouldn’t let go of any cookies. He cried because he couldn’t get his hand out — but if he’d let go of some cookies, he could have pulled his hand out easily.
→ What is the moral of the story?
Sometimes wanting too much can trap you. You might need to give up something to gain freedom or solve a problem.
→ How does this relate to the story?
The monkey didn’t want to lose even one cookie, so he held on tight — and that’s why he got stuck. If he had let go of a few cookies, he could have freed his hand. So the lesson is:
Don’t be greedy — sometimes letting go helps you win.
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3. The Bundle of Sticks
An old monkey told his sons to try breaking a bundle of sticks together — they couldn’t. Then he told them to untie the bundle and break each stick alone — easy! He wanted them to understand something important about working together.
→ What was the father’s meaning?
He meant that when people stick together (like the bundled sticks), they are strong and can’t be broken. But if they split apart, they become weak and easy to defeat.
→ How does this relate to the story?
The sons couldn’t break the bundle — it was too strong together. But single sticks broke easily. Their dad was teaching them:
Unity makes you strong. Stay together, and no one can break you.
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Final Answer:
1. The Grasshopper learned:
It’s important to plan ahead and work hard today so you’re prepared for tough times tomorrow.
→ This relates to the story because the grasshopper played all summer and starved in winter, while the ant worked and survived.
2. The moral of the Monkey and the Cookies:
Greed can trap you — sometimes you must let go of something to gain freedom.
→ This relates because the monkey refused to drop any cookies, so his hand stayed stuck. Letting go would have freed him.
3. The father’s meaning in The Bundle of Sticks:
Together we are strong; divided we are weak.
→ This relates because the bundle of sticks couldn’t be broken, but individual sticks snapped easily — showing strength comes from unity.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 6th grade theme worksheet.
