CBSE Class 8 English The Ant and the Cricket Poem NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This is a summary of the CBSE Class 8 English poem, 'The Ant and the Cricket'. The poem presents a stark contrast between the industrious ant and the carefree cricket. While the ant diligently saves food for the winter, the cricket spends its summer days singing and enjoying itself. When winter arrives, the ant is well-prepared with plenty of food, but the cricket faces starvation and has to beg the ant for help. The ant, adhering to its principles of hard work and foresight, refuses to share its provisions, emphasizing the importance of planning and diligence. The poem serves as a fable, teaching a valuable moral lesson about the consequences of idleness versus the rewards of hard work and preparation for the future. It highlights how neglecting responsibilities can lead to hardship, while diligent effort ensures security and well-being.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 11 The Ant and the Cricket (Poem)

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 8 English, Chapter 11 'The Ant and the Cricket' (Poem). This chapter's solutions focus on understanding the poem's narrative, character analysis of the ant and the cricket, and interpreting the moral lesson about hard work and planning for the future. It covers questions related to the cricket's plight, the ant's principles, and the poet's commentary on the fable.

Learning outcomes

Understand the story and characters of 'The Ant and the Cricket'.
Analyze the contrasting lifestyles of the ant and the cricket.
Interpret the moral lesson about planning and hard work.
Explain the meaning of specific lines and phrases from the poem.
Articulate personal opinions on the characters' principles.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character Analysis: Ant
Character Analysis: Cricket
Poem Interpretation
Moral of the Fable
Themes of Hard Work and Preparation
Understanding Poetic Language
Fable as a Literary Genre

Important topics

Moral of the story: Preparation and Hard Work
Contrast between the Ant and the Cricket
Understanding the Cricket's plight
The Ant's principles on borrowing and lending

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

The cricket says, "Oh! What will become of me?" When does he say it, and why?

Solution: The cricket utters the line "Oh! What will become of me?" when winter has arrived, and he finds himself in a dire situation. He discovers that his cupboard is completely empty, and there isn't a single crumb of food to be found on the snow-covered ground. Furthermore, the trees are bare, with no flowers or leaves. He expresses this distress because he is cold, hungry, and facing the prospect of starving to death due to his lack of preparation during the warmer months.

Question 2

(i) Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" (Shakespeare). (ii) What is your opinion of the ant's principles?

Solution: (i) The lines in the poem that convey the same meaning as Shakespeare's famous quote "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" are: "But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend." (ii) Regarding the ant's principles, one can agree with the initial idea that saving something for the future is wise, as it prevents the need to borrow or lend. However, when the ant refuses to help the cricket in its time of distress, it raises questions about its compassion. While prudence is important, the principle of "a friend in need is a friend indeed" suggests that friends should offer support during difficult times. Therefore, while the ant's foresight is commendable, its lack of empathy towards the cricket is debatable.

Question 3

The ant tells the cricket to "dance the winter away". Do you think the word 'dance' is appropriate here? If so, why?

Solution: The ant's suggestion for the cricket to "dance the winter away" is a sarcastic response, directly related to the cricket's activities during the summer. When the ant inquired what the cricket had done during the warmer months and why it hadn't stored any food, the cricket replied that it had spent its time singing. Therefore, the ant, in turn, tells the cricket to "dance" through the winter, implying that since the cricket chose to sing and be carefree instead of working during summer, it should now face the consequences by continuing its carefree (and unproductive) activities, even though it leads to hardship.

Question 4

(i) Which lines in the poem express the poet's comment? Read them aloud. (ii) Write the comment in your own words.

Solution: (i) The lines in the poem that express the poet's comment are: "Folks call this a fable. I'll warrant it true." (ii) This comment signifies the poet's belief that the poem is indeed a fable, meaning it contains a moral lesson. The poet asserts its truthfulness, suggesting that the events and the outcome are a realistic portrayal of the consequences of different approaches to life. The cricket's negligence and lack of preparation lead to its suffering in winter, while the ant's hard work and foresight ensure its survival and comfort. Thus, the moral emphasizes the importance of diligence and being prepared for adverse situations.

Common mistakes

Confusing the ant's principles with being unkind.
Misinterpreting the poet's final comment.
Not fully grasping the significance of the cricket's actions.

Revision tips

Read the poem aloud to understand its rhythm and tone.
Summarize the story in your own words before referring to the solutions.
Focus on the moral of the story and how it applies to real life.
Discuss the characters' actions and motivations with classmates.

Practice MCQs

Q1. When does the cricket exclaim, "Oh! What will become of me?"

Q2. Which lines from the poem best reflect the idea of 'Neither a borrower nor a lender be'?

Q3. What did the cricket do during the summer months?

Q4. According to the poet, what is the moral of the fable?

Q5. How does the poet describe the poem at the end?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'The Ant and the Cricket'?

The main theme is the importance of hard work, planning, and preparing for the future, contrasting with idleness and lack of foresight.

Why did the cricket face hardship in winter?

The cricket faced hardship because it spent the summer singing and enjoying itself, failing to store any food or prepare for the winter.

What is the ant's perspective on borrowing and lending?

The ant believes in self-sufficiency and never borrows or lends, emphasizing the importance of saving for one's own needs.

What does the poet mean by calling the poem a 'fable'?

The poet calls it a fable because, like traditional fables, it teaches a moral lesson through the actions of animal characters.

How do these NCERT solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the poem's content, characters, and moral, helping students understand complex ideas and prepare for exams.

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