The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

"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 gathering for insects and other small animals. This whimsical work inspired anonymous sequels featuring similar celebrations for birds and large mammals. The poem's enduring charm led to multiple adaptations, including a 1973 picture book, an animated short, and even a rock opera, each reimagining Roscoe's miniature world of revelry.