Page 199 of 274

Ants were once men and made their living by tilling the soil.

But, not content with the results of their own work, they were

always casting longing eyes upon the crops and fruits of their

neighbours, which they stole, whenever they got the chance, and

added to their own store. At last their covetousness made Jupiter

so angry that he changed them into Ants. But, though their forms

were changed, their nature remained the same: and so, to this

day, they go about among the cornfields and gather the fruits of

others' labour, and store them up for their own use.

You may punish a thief, but his bent remains.

THE FROGS AND THE WELL