For some of our modern-day political  and socioeconomic thinkers, concepts of limited resources, self-responsibility,work and preparation have shown themselves to be difficult concepts to  integrate into their political belief systems. To give some mass to these concepts, I always find it useful to provide  a real-life story; or better yet, a myth that speaks in the language of  archetypes, and so has the power to bypass the critical mind and implant its  truth directly into the subconscious indelibly. Maybe my good collectivist friends never had the benefit of this  childhood story as I did but here it goes…

In a field one summer’s day a  Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An  Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to  the nest.

“Why not come and chat with  me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”

“I am helping to lay up food  for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the  same.”

“Why bother about winter?”said the Grasshopper; “We have got plenty of food at present.” But  the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

When the winter came the Grasshopper  had no food and found itself dying of hunger – while it saw the ants  distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the  summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for days of need.

~ The Ant and the Grasshopper by  Aesop