This lovely tale tells the story of Princess Isabella, who is greatly loved by her parents—happy and carefree until she overhears girls making fun of her large nose and ears. Miserable and ashamed, she quits playing and hides in the palace. Nothing can sway Isabella’s feelings of ugliness and sadness until an old woman reminds her that giving love to others brings deep happiness.

While a little fun is essential for a happy life, wise individuals know that prosperity begins with hard work. Gary and the other grasshoppers want to play all day, and they cannot understand why the ants work so hard and miss all the fun. Alex and the ants know they must work during the spring to have food for the winter.

It was time for the beautiful princess Elizabeth to be married. Charming Simon and strong, handsome Thomas came to ask her hand in marriage. Then there was John, a handsome but not-so-flashy commoner. Elizabeth first noticed him helping an old man get his wagon out of a muddy ditch.

Proud Rooster, always ignoring everyone’s advice, gets into all sorts of trouble. Filling his tummy with green strawberries, falling off a tree while showing off, and skating on thin ice after being repeatedly warned, nearly do him in.