TRUE FRIENDSHIP
by Ada M. Skinner · from Merry Tales
Adapted Version
Once, a big ant kingdom was. A wise old Ant King lived there. But he was a little sad.
The Ant King had many things. He had a gold crown. He had many ants. But he was not happy. He did not feel joy.
One day, ant soldiers came back. They brought much food. They also brought four new friends. The Spider, The Bee, The Grasshopper, The Cricket.
The King sat on his high seat. He wanted to meet the new friends. He called them to him.
The Ant King asked The Spider. "What can you do?" The Spider said, "I can weave." The King said, "Weave well." "Or you cannot stay."
Next, The Ant King asked The Bee. "What can you do?" The Bee said, "I make yummy food." The King said, "Make good food." "Or you cannot stay."
Then, The Ant King asked two friends. He asked The Grasshopper and The Cricket. "What can you do?" The Grasshopper said, "I can dance." The Cricket said, "I can sing."
The Ant King was sad. He said, "Dancing and singing are not good." "You cannot stay here." He was very cross.
The Cricket was brave. She spoke to the king. "Singing and dancing make people happy." "We make life fun." "Please let us sing for you."
The Ant King listened. He said, "Okay, sing and dance for me." "If I like it, you can be free." "You can ask for one wish."
The Cricket sang a happy song. The Grasshopper danced a happy dance. The Ant King smiled. All the ants clapped. They were very happy.
The Ant King was sad no more. He was happy! He said, "You are free!" "What is your wish?"
The Cricket said, "Please let The Spider stay!" The Grasshopper said, "Please let The Bee stay too!"
The Ant King saw their kind hearts. He said, "Yes!" All four friends were free.
The four friends left the ant home. The Cricket sang a happy song. All were happy. Being kind and making others happy is good. All kinds of skills are good.
Original Story
TRUE FRIENDSHIP
Down yonder by the thrashing floors, where the husbandmen thrash out their corn, some large black ants once established themselves and built their nests. They settled themselves in that place in order to be near good and wholesome food, such as wheat, barley, and maize, which they carried off whether the farmers liked it or not.
These ants prospered and became so numerous that they formed themselves into a kingdom, and had their own king.
The king, who was an old ant, was very wise and courageous. As he was a real king, he wore a golden crown upon his head and held a golden scepter in his hand.
225His crown was a small piece of round gold wire, which fitted his head splendidly. His soldiers in one of their raids had found it in a country maiden’s casket. They took possession of it, and presented it to their sovereign. In the same way they had come across the scepter, which they saw one day on the thrashing floor, and appropriated in like manner. It was nothing more than a little gold watch key which had dropped off the chain of the village steward, but that was of no consequence, because as soon as the royal hand grasped it, it derived value from that circumstance alone.
The king had his own carriage. It was made out of a nutshell, and was drawn by two swift and well-harnessed beetles, who, like all royal horses, were well trained. The king generally drove out, because his majesty was now so aged that he had become quite white and feeble.
So you see that he had every blessing, and his people loved him very much. But he was not happy for he was weary and no longer 226found pleasure in anything. Perhaps this was because he had so much.
One day there was a great tumult in the ant kingdom. A regiment of soldiers, which had gone out upon an excursion, returned after a brilliant victory, and brought back great spoils, and also four prisoners.
The king, from the balcony of his palace, with his crown on his head and his scepter in his hand, greeted his army as it marched before him in great order, saluting him with, “Long live the King!” Then he ordered that the four prisoners should be brought before him, that he might try them.
The first captive was a spider.
“What is your name?” asked the king.
“Spider,” she answered humbly, and did homage with her two forelegs.
“Where were you born?” said the king.
“I was born in the mill’s dark cellar.”
After many other questions the king again said, “What art do you know?”
“I know how to weave,” said the spider. “No one can surpass me in weaving. I am 227the very, very best weaver in the whole wide world.”
“Good!” said the king. “You shall weave some cloth for my palace, and if your work is satisfactory, I will set you free; if not, I shall hand you over to my soldiers to be cut to pieces. Shut her up in prison and let her begin at once.”
As the king decreed this, he lowered his scepter and struck it on the ground, when immediately soldiers dragged off the spider by her feet, and put her in a cell.
The second prisoner, which was a bee, was then brought forward. The king in like manner questioned her. She said her name was “Bee,” and did him obeisance. Upon his inquiring where she was born, she replied, “In a hive, which was a house built for a number of bees to live in.”
“Do you know any trade or profession?” inquired the king.
“Certainly, your majesty, I know how to make a most delicious food. No one can excel me.”
228“Good!” said the king. “You shall make all the sweetmeats that are required at the forthcoming festival, when the peasants spread their thrashing floors. If I am pleased with them, I shall release you; but if not, I shall order my soldiers to cut off your head. Shut her up in prison, and let her begin at once.”
Again he knocked with his scepter, and the detachment of soldiers led the bee off to prison. Then the king said: “Bring in the two other prisoners together, that we may finish with them; for I have other business of the kingdom on hand.”
The third and fourth captives were brought in together. One was a grasshopper, and the other a cricket.
When they were asked the customary questions as to their places of birth, the first replied, “At the roots of a bush of thyme.” And the other, “In the air!”
Then the king proceeded with: “And what arts do you know?”
“I know how to sing,” cried the cricket.
229“And I, how to dance,” said the grasshopper.
“Splendid arts, truly, both the one and the other,” called out the king in a rage, and he knocked with his scepter so loudly that all his courtiers and soldiers, as well as the two prisoners, were frightened. “Since you know nothing, you are plainly of no use. I shall have you cut up, the pair of you.”
“Please, your majesty,” said the cricket boldly, while the grasshopper trembled with fear, “can we do nothing? Do we know nothing? Because this lady and myself cannot weave like the spider or make sweetmeats like the bee? We are worthy people, and the whole world loves us. We amuse all the insects on both hill and plain; we make life in the long summer days when the sun is hot a little less wearisome; then I sing, and she dances, and for those who see and hear us time soon passes. Allow us the same privilege before your majesty, and you can then judge if we be deserving of freedom or death.”
230The king was not hard-hearted, and after hearing this plea of the cricket, he said, “I grant your request. I have a little time in which to divert myself, and if you can succeed in giving me pleasure in a short space of time, I will give you both your liberty, and grant you each any favor that you may ask.”
He gave orders to release them. The cricket then began to sing with all the skill that she possessed, and the grasshopper danced at the same time. Neither the king nor any of his courtiers or soldiers had ever heard so sweet a voice, or seen so artistic a dance. His majesty was delighted; his old face beamed all over, and he struck merrily with his scepter, and shouted: “Well done! Bravo! I’ll free you—I’ll free you. I only request that whenever you have the time or the inclination, you will come and amuse me and my subjects a little. Labor is good, but life wants some few pleasures also. I told you that I would grant you any favor that you asked for. Ask now what you will.” Then the cricket said pleadingly, “Your 231majesty, I ask this favor—that the poor spider may be released.”
“You have a good heart,” answered the king; “be it so.” And he turned to the grasshopper. “And what favor do you ask, madam dancer?”
“May it please your majesty to release the bee?”
“And you, too, have a good heart; your wish is granted.” And the king ordered the release of the prisoners.
They were immediately set free, and all the ants conducted them out of the ant hills, while the cricket, full of joy, sang along the road:
“Zi zi zi and zi zi zi,
May our lord the king live joyfully,
And all his people as well as he.”
232Merry have we met,
And merry have we been;
Merry let us part,
And merry meet again.
Old Rime.
Story DNA
Moral
True friendship and compassion extend beyond personal gain, recognizing the value in all contributions to life, even those not immediately practical.
Plot Summary
An old, wise ant king, despite his kingdom's prosperity, is deeply unhappy. When his soldiers capture a spider, a bee, a grasshopper, and a cricket, the king values the practical skills of the spider and bee, sentencing them to labor, but condemns the grasshopper and cricket for their seemingly useless arts of dancing and singing. The cricket boldly pleads for their lives, arguing that their art brings joy and makes life bearable. The king, not hard-hearted, allows them to perform, and their beautiful song and dance delight him, transforming his weariness into joy. Granted freedom and a favor, the cricket and grasshopper demonstrate true friendship by asking for the release of the spider and the bee, leading to a happy resolution for all.
Themes
Emotional Arc
weariness to joy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a common theme in fables and fairy tales of valuing different contributions to society, often contrasting practical labor with artistic endeavors.
Plot Beats (15)
- A prosperous ant kingdom, led by a wise but weary old king, thrives near human thrashing floors, collecting food.
- The king, though having every blessing, is unhappy and finds no pleasure in his life.
- Ant soldiers return from a successful excursion with spoils and four prisoners: a spider, a bee, a grasshopper, and a cricket.
- The king, from his balcony, orders the prisoners to be brought before him for trial.
- The spider is questioned, states her skill is weaving, and is ordered to weave cloth for the palace; if unsatisfactory, she will be cut to pieces.
- The bee is questioned, states her skill is making delicious food, and is ordered to make sweetmeats for a festival; if unsatisfactory, she will be beheaded.
- The grasshopper and cricket are questioned together; they state their skills are dancing and singing, respectively.
- The king, in a rage, declares their arts useless and sentences them to be cut up.
- The cricket boldly pleads for their lives, arguing that their art brings joy and makes life less wearisome, asking for a chance to perform for the king.
- The king, moved by the plea, grants them the opportunity to perform, promising freedom and a favor if they succeed in pleasing him.
- The cricket sings and the grasshopper dances, captivating the king and his court, who are immensely delighted.
- The king, now joyful, grants them freedom and asks them to name their favor.
- The cricket asks for the release of the spider, and the grasshopper asks for the release of the bee.
- The king, impressed by their good hearts, grants both wishes, and all four prisoners are immediately set free.
- The cricket, grasshopper, spider, and bee are escorted out of the ant hills, with the cricket singing joyfully.
Characters
The Ant King ★ protagonist
An old ant, now quite white and feeble due to age. He is large enough to be recognized as a king among his ant subjects.
Attire: No specific clothing, but he is always seen with a small, round golden wire crown on his head.
Wants: To rule his prosperous kingdom justly, to find pleasure and meaning in his old age, and to ensure the well-being of his subjects.
Flaw: His weariness and boredom, which initially make him harsh and dismissive of non-utilitarian arts.
He transforms from a weary, utilitarian ruler who values only practical skills to one who appreciates the joy and beauty of art and entertainment, finding renewed pleasure in life and showing mercy.
Wise, courageous, initially weary, easily bored, just, appreciative of art and pleasure, ultimately kind-hearted.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly ant, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Its body is mostly white, indicating age. It wears a small, round golden wire crown on its head and holds a tiny gold watch key as a scepter in one of its forelegs. Its expression is wise but initially weary, later beaming with delight. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Cricket ◆ supporting
A typical cricket, described as knowing how to sing.
Attire: None, as a cricket.
Wants: To prove the value of her art (singing), to gain freedom for herself and her friend, and to extend that mercy to others.
Flaw: Initially perceived as having no 'useful' skill, making her vulnerable to the king's judgment.
From a condemned prisoner, she becomes the catalyst for the king's change of heart and the liberator of her fellow prisoners.
Bold, articulate, persuasive, artistic, compassionate, joyful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cricket, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Its body is dark, with prominent legs adapted for jumping. Its mouth is slightly open as if in mid-song, and its antennae are alert. It has a joyful and confident expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Grasshopper ◆ supporting
A typical grasshopper, described as knowing how to dance.
Attire: None, as a grasshopper.
Wants: To prove the value of her art (dancing), to gain freedom for herself and her friend, and to extend that mercy to others.
Flaw: Her initial fear and the perception that her skill is not 'useful'.
From a condemned prisoner, she becomes a key part of the king's entertainment and, through her compassion, helps free another prisoner.
Artistic, initially fearful, compassionate, joyful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grasshopper, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Its body is green and slender, with powerful hind legs. It is depicted in a graceful, dynamic pose as if mid-dance, with antennae slightly curved. Its expression is joyful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Spider ○ minor
A spider, with eight legs, described as a weaver.
Attire: None, as a spider.
Wants: To survive and prove her worth through her weaving skill.
Flaw: Her life is entirely dependent on her practical skill, making her vulnerable to judgment.
She is condemned for her skill, then unexpectedly freed by the compassion of others.
Humble, skilled, confident in her craft.
Image Prompt & Upload
A spider, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Its body is dark and segmented, with eight slender legs. It has a humble and slightly fearful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Bee ○ minor
A bee, described as a maker of delicious food.
Attire: None, as a bee.
Wants: To survive and prove her worth through her food-making skill.
Flaw: Her life is entirely dependent on her practical skill, making her vulnerable to judgment.
She is condemned for her skill, then unexpectedly freed by the compassion of others.
Obeisant, skilled, confident in her craft.
Image Prompt & Upload
A bee, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Its body is fuzzy with distinct black and yellow stripes, and it has delicate, translucent wings. It has an obeisant and slightly fearful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Thrashing Floors
Open, flat areas where husbandmen thrash out their corn, likely dusty with scattered grains of wheat, barley, and maize. The ground would be hard-packed earth, possibly with some burdock leaves or other weeds growing along the edges, near a river.
Mood: Busy, industrious, a source of sustenance for the ant kingdom.
The ants initially establish their kingdom here due to the abundant food source. The king's scepter (watch key) was found here.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, sun-drenched expanse of hard-packed earth, textured with fine dust and scattered golden grains of wheat, barley, and maize. Patches of broad, green burdock leaves grow along the edges, hinting at a nearby water source. The sky is a clear, bright blue, casting sharp shadows from unseen farm implements. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Ant Kingdom Palace Balcony
A small, elevated platform or opening in the ant hill, serving as a royal balcony. It would be constructed from meticulously excavated earth and tiny pebbles, possibly smoothed and reinforced by the ants. From here, the king observes his subjects.
Mood: Formal, authoritative, a place of judgment and royal decree.
The king greets his victorious army and later presides over the trial of the four prisoners (spider, bee, grasshopper, cricket).
Image Prompt & Upload
A meticulously sculpted ant hill interior, showing a small, elevated balcony carved from smooth, compacted earth and tiny, polished pebbles. The opening overlooks a wider, dark tunnel where a regiment of ant soldiers marches in formation. Soft, diffused light filters in from an unseen exterior opening, highlighting the intricate, organic architecture of the ant colony. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Mill's Dark Cellar
A subterranean space beneath a mill, characterized by dampness, cool air, and perpetual gloom. Cobwebs would likely be abundant, and the air might carry the scent of flour and damp earth. It is the birthplace of the spider.
Mood: Eerie, secluded, a place of quiet industry for the spider.
The stated birthplace of the spider, implying a natural habitat for her weaving.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deep, cool, and perpetually dim cellar beneath an old mill, with rough-hewn stone walls covered in a fine layer of flour dust and dampness. Thick, intricate cobwebs stretch across shadowy corners and between exposed wooden beams overhead. A faint, cool light barely penetrates from a high, small opening, illuminating motes of dust in the still air. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
