Ant and the Grasshopper

February was the month that we focused on an old fable or story that has been around for a very long for a long time. This classic story was made into a movie by Disney in 1937 called the Ant and the Grasshopper and can now be viewed on You Tube.

This story was told thousands of years ago by Aesop is goes like this 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.

This story showed well the importance of preparing for the winter but could be a great example about family preparedness as well.

Activity This week's activity was to show the children how to have heat when there is no heating system in the House. Heater in a Can

Uses:
Heater in Home
Heater in Car during winter months.
Heater for Camping
Heater for your 72 hour kit.

Supplies:
1 empty quart can (you can purchase at any paint store)
1 bottle of rubbing alcohol
1 roll of toilet paper (with cardboard removed) paint can opener (you can purchase at any paint store or mini Philips screwdriver. ) pack of matches or lighter.

To make as a gift: Remove core of toilet paper. Fold the roll of toilet paper in half and stuff into the empty quart can. Put the can and the rest of the items in a ziploc bag separately so the recipient may pour the alcohol in the can when heat is needed. Copy the text below and include it with the kit.

Assembly for Use:

1. Remove core of toilet paper

2. Fold the roll of toilet paper in half and stuff into the empty quart can.

3. Slowly pour 1 pint alcohol into can.

4. Light w/ lighter or match.

5. To extinguish, replace the lid.

6. Put the following instructions in with the rest of the items.

Instructions for using Emergency Car Heater:
Use 70% isopropyl alcohol-any higher percent the flames could be too high. Do not use scented alcohol, it will smell awful in your car. 4 pints of isopropyl will keep a car 60 to 70 degrees for 24 hours. They are extremely safe and don’t produce carbon monoxide.

Warnings: Be careful the can rim will be hot to touch during and for a while after burning, although the can could be held from the bottom even while the heater is burning. It is suggested that you carry a metal pan or cookie sheet or fold a square of tin foil into fourths to set the heater on. Do not pour more alcohol on the heater while burning. Wait for it to burn out or smother with metal lid.

Each child was invited to make their own heating can, and report their initials on it. Once the alcohol is poured into the can and can be sealed up well and stored on a shelf in a cold dry place. Then when emergency occurs the can can be open and lite used as a heat system or burner for cooking. There was a great successful evening and the kids enjoyed it.