Ant and Cricket.
One of the company being appointed to represent the Cricket, seats himself in the midst of the other players, who are the Ants, and writes upon a piece of paper the name of a certain grain, whatever kind he pleases. He then addresses the first Ant: “My dear neighbor, I am very hungry, and have come to you for aid. What will you give me?” “A grain of rice, a kernel of corn, a worm,” etc., replies the Ant, as he sees fit. The Cricket asks each in turn, and if one of them announces as his gift the word already written upon the paper, the Cricket declares himself satisfied and changes places with the Ant.
If the desired word is not spoken, however, the same cricket keeps his place, scorning each article of food as it is suggested to him. In either case the form of the question changes, and the supplicant says: “My hunger is appeased and now I wish to dance. What dance do you advise?” He therefore writes the name of a dance upon his paper and the Ants advise in turn—“A polka, a fandango, a minuet,” etc. The third Cricket declares himself unable to dance without music, and requests that a suitable instrument be recommended. “A lyre, a kazoo, a mandolin,” etc., say the Ants.
The fourth Cricket, tired of dancing, wishes to rest, and asks upon what he shall take his repose. “A rose-leaf, the moss, the heart of a lily,” are all suggested, but unless the name he has previously written upon his paper is mentioned, he expresses himself dissatisfied.
The fifth and last Cricket confesses fear lest while sleeping he shall be devoured by a bird, but requests advice concerning the choice of a destroyer. “A lark, a turtle-dove, a pigeon,” are thereupon mentioned by the Ants.
By carefully selecting the most uncommon names for replies, the same Cricket may be kept through the entire set of questions. If the word written upon his paper, however, is mentioned in any case, he must show it to the unfortunate Ant, to whom he surrenders his place.