Direction : Read the following poem and answer the question given below :

A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring,
Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter was come.
Not a crumb to be found on the snow-covered ground :
Not a flower could he see, Not a leaf on a tree.
"Oh ! what will become," Says the cricket, "of me ?"
At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold
Away he set off to a miserly ant, To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant
Him shelter from rain And a mouthful of grain
He wished only to borrow; He'd repay it tomorrow;
If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow.

A story with animals as characters, that conveys a moral is called :

Question

Direction : Read the following poem and answer the question given below :

A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring,
Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter was come.
Not a crumb to be found on the snow-covered ground :
Not a flower could he see, Not a leaf on a tree.
"Oh ! what will become," Says the cricket, "of me ?"
At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold
Away he set off to a miserly ant, To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant
Him shelter from rain And a mouthful of grain
He wished only to borrow; He'd repay it tomorrow;
If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow.

A story with animals as characters, that conveys a moral is called :

Accepted Answer

The correct answer to the question is Option 2: A Fable. Here's a detailed explanation justifying why this is the correct choice, along with reasons why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Why Option 2 is Correct (A Fable):**
   - A fable is a short story, typically featuring animals as characters, that conveys a moral lesson. In the poem provided, the characters are a cricket and an ant, both of which are animals. The narrative revolves around the cricket's lack of preparation for winter and its subsequent plea for help from the ant. This setup is characteristic of a fable, as it uses animal characters to impart a moral lesson about the importance of planning and preparation. The moral is subtly conveyed through the actions and consequences faced by the cricket, aligning perfectly with the definition of a fable.

2. **Why the Other Options are Incorrect:**
   - **Option 1: A Lyric**
     - A lyric is a type of poetry that expresses personal emotions or thoughts, often in a song-like format. While the poem does have a rhythmic and lyrical quality, it is not primarily focused on expressing personal emotions or thoughts. Instead, it tells a story with a moral, which is not the primary purpose of a lyric.
   
   - **Option 3: An Anecdote**
     - An anecdote is a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. The poem does not recount a real incident or person; rather, it uses fictional animal characters to convey a moral lesson. Therefore, it does not fit the definition of an anecdote.
   
   - **Option 4: A Novel**
     - A novel is a long, fictional narrative that typically explores complex characters and plots. The poem is brief and focuses on a single, straightforward narrative involving a cricket and an ant. It lacks the length and complexity associated with a novel, making this option incorrect.

In conclusion, the poem fits the characteristics of a fable, as it uses animal characters to deliver a moral lesson, which is why Option 2 is the correct answer.