MONEY IN MY POCKET - THE ANT AND THE BUZZER

(adapted story from the book “No Poupar Vai o Ganho! Educação Financeira”)

Once upon a time, there was a very hard working Ant. The Ant

used to plant carrots, cabbages, potatoes, onions and other kind

of food. Then, she used to sell them. Thus, she earned money

with which she could buy other kind of food and other things,

which were also important, and were sorely, missed, such as

milk, fruit, books and she could pay the rent of the

house.

The Ant had a friend, the

Buzzer! She was cheerful and willing but very naughty.

She didn’t study and she didn’t like to work. Thus, as

she played the guitar all summer and didn’t work, she

didn’t earn money…

The summer ended. The winter and the cold started. The Ant had sold

what she had sown. She bought what she needed and still had 20 euros in her pocket!

With the winter the Buzzer started to be worried. She was hungry and cold and she didn’t have

money in her pocket. She thought and thought…and said:

- I already know…I’m going to visit the Ant!

There she went.

- Hi Ant, sorry, but you know…I’m starving and with cold. Could you please give me

some money?

- That’s a good joke! – answered the Ant. I worked all the summer while you were

singing! If you sang day and night…now you can also dance!

The Buzzer was silent because she knew the Ant was right. She should really have worked so

she could have money to buy food, pay the rent…well, for all she needed. But as she knew that

the Ant had money, she told her:

- My dear friend Ant, I’m going to make you a request. I’m very upset and worried

because I have no money. I know you are my friend and you won’t say no. Can I borrow 5

euros? I promise in 30 days I will refund you with interests and capital sum…

The Ant replied:

- OK, I will lend you the money! But you will stay in debt to me. You owe me 5 euros and

you must really pay me in 30 days. Debts must be paid. And you are going to sign a

paper saying how much you owe and when you will pay me.

The Buzzer had to find a way to earn money to pay the debt and to manage to survive.

She thought and thought and thought…and decided to use her talents to win some money. She

began by planning a music show. She went to several shops and started looking at the prices.

She discovered that guitars were very expensive! Finally she decided to buy the one that

seemed the best and not so expensive. The guitar cost 15 euros. The Buzzer didn’t have money

in her pocket so she told the shopkeeper that she would pay later.

She was very worried so she decided to make a spending plan and write all that she due and

what she had to spend during the month: the debt to the Ant, the guitar, food, books, the rent

and the bills of water and electricity. She didn’t include the costs with transportation because

she decided she would have to walk to save, since the costs were already too many.

Once the Buzzer saw her spending plan, she was scared! She would really have to win a lot of

money! There was only one way, to make the show a huge success. She rehearsed, played,

sang and prepared herself very well, for the big day.

The Buzzer: First it will be good to start playing the guitar. I will go on the street and

will work hard.

Author: So the Buzzer was playing the guitar on the street and the good insects, which

were passing by, were putting coins in his empty hat. He was playing the guitar 3 days

long and he earned 20 Euro.

Author: The Buzzer gave back his debt to the Ant, put 10 Euro in save place – to pay

for the guitar and there were 3 Euro more – to buy something to eat. She continued to

play the guitar 15 days more. In the end she have been saved enough money and she

could gave back what she was owning and even she saved more 30 Euro.

The Buzzer: I have enough money to pay the rent, food, the bills of water and

electricity and other important costs. Until I am playing the guitar on the street, I will go

on with my plan- to make a music show.

Author: The Buzzer decided to invite the Ladybug, the Butterfly, the Nightingale and

other famous musicians and animals, to be part of the show in the forest. The Buzzer

calculated the tickets, decoration, honorarium, costs related with the preparation of the

event. One day the Buzzer got together all the participants and said:

The Buzzer: Those are your contracts and there it is written, that I have to pay you in

the end of the show. The rehearsal will start every day at 9.00 o’clock and this will

continue every day till the beginning of the show.

Author: Everyone is working hard and here it is….the important day was starting. All

the participants were ready. They were wearing their new clothes. It was full of

audience – all the animals, that were living in the forest were interested of the show.

The host of the show: Dear friends, welcome to the show of the Buzzer! You will have

the opportunity to watch how the Butterflies, the Ladybugs, the Nightingale and the

Buzzer are dancing and singing. This is the beginning of the great show called “Green

Music”.

The host of the show: We will start with the Dancing Ladybugs.

………………

The host of the show: Now we will have the opportunity to hear the song of the

Nightingale and the title of the song is “Seasons”.

………………

The host of the show: To your attention graceful dancing of the Butterflies!

………………

The host of the show: And now….greetings from the host of the show – The Buzzer!

………………

Author: This was the moment when the Buzzer decided to say thank you to her friend –

the Ant.

The Buzzer: Dear friend, I just wanted to tell you thank you for your help. It was very

hard for me in that moment - I have had no money in my pocket and you helped me.

Now I know that it is very important to work hard and save money, so that not be

hungry when winter comes.

THE ANT’S BUDGET

INCOMING euro EXPENSE euro

Sale of carrots 7 Purchase of milk 1

Sale of Cabbages 5 Purchase of fish 2

Sale of potatoes 8 Purchase of fruit 2

Sale of onions 4 Purchase of meat 3

Sale of tomatoes 5 Purchase of books 3

Sale of garlic 3 Rent of the house 7

Electricity 2

Water 1

Having fun 1

TOTAL 32 TOTAL 22

SAVINGS: 10 euro

SPENDING PLAN OF THE BUZZER

Complete the following plan:

INCOMING euro EXPENSE euro

Entry on the show Debt to the Ant 5

Guitar 15

Food 9

Rent of the house 7

Books 2

Electricity 1

Water 1

TOTAL TOTAL 40

SAVINGS: