William Roscoe

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

"The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast" by William Roscoe is a poem written in 1802. It tells the story of a festive party attended by insects and other small animals. The whimsical verse sparked popular sequels featuring gatherings of birds and large mammals, and inspired numerous adaptations across different media, including illustrated picture books, an animated short, and even a rock opera with its own soundtrack.