Dangers of Using Plastic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Dangers of Using Plastic - Research Paper Example On the other hand, those opposed to the idea of using plastic maintain that plastic is non-biodegradable and that when they are discarded, they will remain intact for decades. Only DANGERS OF USING PLASTIC 4 incineration can result in the disposal of plastic. Incineration has its attendant risks; it causes noxious fumes to be released into the atmosphere. Due to this, the second group consisting of mainly environmentalists, conservationists and health experts insist that the use of plastic be limited. What is Plastic? Plastic is manufactured from hydrocarbons that are found in oil and natural gas. It is formed when molecules, known as monomers bond together. Different types of monomers create different types of plastic each type of plastic has different properties or characteristics. While some are soft and pliable, others are strong and durable. Use of Plastic – Statistics The United States alone produced 13 million tons of plastics as containers and packaging, 11 million ton s as durable goods and nearly 7 million tons as nondurable goods in 2009 (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2010). This shows the prevalent use of plastic in many industries including the electronics, automobile, food, furniture and textile industries. Plastic – Types and Benefits There are two main types of plastic : thermosets and thermoplastics. The first type of plastic known as thermoset solidifies when heated. This type of plastic is known for its durability and strength. Therefore, thermosets are used in the automobile and construction industries. They are also used in the making of ink, coatings and adhesives. DANGERS OF USING PLASTIC 5 The second... This paper stresses that the use of plastic has environmental, health and economic advantages as well as disadvantages. Although it offers advantages such as durability, flexibility affordability and light weight, it creates a host of problems such as contamination of the environment, health problems and the dwindling of the earth’s resources. People who support the banning of plastic do so for several reasons. In the first place, plastic is made up of dwindling natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas. Second, aquatic, marine and land animals are strangled, choked and killed when they consume plastic bags or get caught in them. Plastic has also become a major cause of litter and plastic materials pollute both the land, beaches and waterways. Moreover, plastic takes a long time to biodegrade. Finally, plastic is a health hazard. This report makes a conclusion that many governments are now aware of the seriousness of the situation and are taking measures to combat the problem. These measures include imposing a tax on plastic bags to discourage their use. By imposing a tax, consumers may decide to switch to other more environment-friendly reusable bags. In Ireland, for example, customers have to pay a tax of about 20 cents per bag. This has cut the amount of plastic bags by as much as 90 percent. Many other countries like Bangladesh, Italy, South Africa, Taiwan and India have either banned or reduced the use of plastic bags.

Some Useful Recommendations in the law Commission's report 'Public Essay

Some Useful Recommendations in the law Commission's report 'Public Service Ombudsmen' - Essay Example It recommended that statutory provisions that warrant complaints to be made to ombudsmen in writing have to be repealed. Secondly, section 5(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 should be repealed. This is the section that directs that Ombudsmen should not carry out investigations on matters that can be the subject to judicial review proceedings or appeal unless the ombudsmen are satisfied that in the particular situation, it is not reasonable to expect the complainant to follow up the matter in such ways. The commission recommended that this section of the law be replaced with a discretion to investigate except where the matter is considered inappropriate. The third recommendation was that the Administrative Court should have an authority to stay in action before the matter to allow for an investigation or disposition of the matter by the public services ombudsman. Fourthly, a reaped should also be made on the ‘MP filter’ which similarly applies to the Parliame ntary Ombudsman. The public services ombudsmen should be able to complain either via an MP or directly. Fifthly, â€Å"a specific power to make a reference to the Administrative Court asking a question on a point of law† should be given to the Ombudsmen1. ... Finally, there needs to be a fundamental review of the current public services ombudsmen as well as the ombudsman's position in the landscape for administrative justice. An analysis of these recommendations shows that they are useful in enhancing the ability of the public services ombudsman to seek and deliver justice to the public in case of any complaints of injustice. However, the commission did not adequately focus on the role of the Ombudsman in regard to judicial review. Evidently, it dwelt much on the law and courts but failed to understand 'ombudsmary'. This inadequacy is highly evidenced by the case Bradley v Secretary of state for work and pensions [2008]. On 15th march, 2006, the public services ombudsman published a report entitled â€Å"Trusting in the pensions promise: government bodies and the security of final salary occupational pensions (HC 984)†. In this report, the public services ombudsman addressed the circumstances under which salary schemes were wound u p and it also revealed the role of the government on this scandal2. The ombudsman revealed that the department of work and pensions (DWP) had published leaflets encouraging the public to stick to company pension schemes but this information was incomplete and misleading. It failed to warn the public that their pensions were at risk if the pension schemes of their companies wound up. The ombudsman therefore concluded that there was a maladministration and the Actions of the DWP lead to injustice to the public. The findings of the ombudsman's report were rejected by the State's secretary for Work and Pensions. However, through a judicial review of this rejection, the actions of the state secretary for WP was

Cycladic, Greek and Roman Collection Essay Example for Free

Cycladic, Greek and Roman Collection Essay Cycladic, Greek and Roman collection of various kinds of vases has played a great role in demonstration of their culture and belief. Greek philosophy of art is realistic and that images reflect the people’s custom and myth. Basically, designs and arts in vases served two purposes in the lives of these people: in terms of form and function and the mythology associated with their beliefs. These painting in vases according to an online article come in four classes, in which the first two are recognized as relating to ancient form of art, such as (1) relating to mythology and (2) relating to heroic age and ancient Greek traditions. However, in some instances, myth is not depicted in the art. Thus to view vases of this period is to understand the essential uses of these objects to Greek culture and traditions that are suggested in the figures. Amphora for instance is a two-handled vase commonly used for storing transporting foods; most images drawn here speak the activity associated with it. There are others that are used exclusively for mixing and cooling wine and for drinking water and wine; in the same way describe the perspective of the people who are using it. General Impressions: Attic Black-Figure Neck-Amphora of 525-500 BCE (myth/everyday life scene) This type of Greek pottery represents a culture and art that is mimicry of activity usual of these people of their period. As Robin Osborne puts it they â€Å"don’t just symbolize, they do things, and the things they do are of interest for their mental as well as their physical side† (p. 29). The figures on the vase could be interpreted as a celebration of young men in which the man at the center performs while the rest are expectants. The gestures are suggestive of what the celebration was all about; obviously, the activity has something to do with competition of physical strength. As the designs in this amphora are closely associated with activities done outside the home, it is presumed that designs represent the activity of the carriers. Red Figure Volute Krater of 330-320 BCE (large and with a sister-piece in the same gallery) This Apulian vase has a unique characteristic because it is highly mythical as reflected in the figures representing angelic beings, a bearded man and two women. The images portray the lighter side of life, in which men interact with the underworld. The figure on the neck is presumably a noble man because of the decorations around the image. The vase as Tom Rasmussen and Nigel Jonathan Spivey noted is â€Å"attributed to the Underworld Painter† (p. 181). The Krater is a kind of vase used for mixing wine and water. This scenario only depicts that wine had always been part of Greek celebrations and tradition, in which some of these celebrations were associated with religious festivities such as in Anthestiria, or a celebration of wine. The image of gods in the vase is only a representation that a religious activity is celebrated with the presence of wine. Greek Theatrical Masks Masks for ancient Greek Theater according to Graham Ley have been â€Å"significant elements of the worship of the god Dionysus† (p. 17), in which early vase paintings may have adopted. Early existence of theater was not to entertain; rather it was to celebrate Dionysus- the god of wine and fertility. As part of tradition, plays of that period dramatized man’s experience and relationship with gods. There are many reasons why early actors and actresses wore masks. Primarily, they help recreate or portray different characterization especially when there were few actors were available. Masks such as the one used to show tragedy may show exaggeration of facial expressions that is little bigger than the face enough to envelop the head. Masks in its primary function help create a powerful effect since one or more roles may be played by one actor. Red-Figure Chous, 400-350 BCE A wine jug or a chous dated 400 to 380 BCE with figures of a man and hounds slaying him to death, while the legs of a lady is shown turning away from the scene. The head of a man is at a distance looking at the man’s direction. The chous named Oinochoe is a red-figure vessel, which according to the description is Aktaion depicting his death (Museum of Fine Arts). The story of Aktaion is only a myth that was very popular in ancient Greece. The story which is also played in theaters during that period represents that the supernatural beings like Artemis mingled with ordinary people. Likewise, in the presentation of the story in a chous, it shows only that not only actual events are drawn on jags; myths are also painted because it tells about their beliefs. Libation Bowl (Phiale Mesomphalos) This vessel is really interesting because it is made of pure gold dated around 625 BC. It has no decoration except the inscriptions â€Å"The sons of Kypselos dedicated (this bowl) from Heraclea† (Museum of Fine Arts). Libation bowl mirrors an ancient Greek culture because by tradition, it is used in rituals when pouring something as an offering. Greek just like other civilization of the world was highly ritualistic in expression of their religious beliefs. Name three things you learned about ancient Greek and Roman life from this collection. I discovered and appreciated Greeks’ artistic ability, intelligence, and religiosity. People at that time in the absence of papers had recorded important aspects of their history through arts; that parts of their existence were expressed with their interaction with what they know as their gods as shown in arts; and lastly, I think myth is not myth in the perspective of these people; rather, the gods and their stories were real for these people. What impressed you personally about the museum collection and the opportunity to view actual artifacts from an era 2500 years ago? The opportunity to see various collections of artifacts has amazed me and gave an impression that Greek and Roman culture had shared tremendous impact in the present time. The ingenuity and intelligence of the people is so vast that the absence of formal education, people were able to leave a wonderful legacy for this generation and the generation to come. How can we today learn from this ancient civilization through its arts? Ancient Greek civilization as Kerri O’Donnell puts it is â€Å"the birthplace of western civilization† (p. 4). Around 2500 years BC when this civilization flourished, signs of developments have been noted such as the development of sports, religious beliefs and practices, literature, arts, and customs that have depicted in the figures drawn on vessels. Though many of those beliefs are considered highly mythical, yet what people should appreciate about Greek civilization is their ability to contribute knowledge that serve as foundation of many discoveries of the modern world. Work Cited â€Å"Collection Search Result. † Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. http://www. mfa. org/collections/search_art. asp? recview=trueid=154081coll_keywords=red+figure+chouscoll_accession=coll_name=coll_artist=coll_place=coll_medium=coll_culture=coll_classification=coll_credit=coll_provenance=coll_location=coll_has_images=coll_on_view=coll_sort=0coll_sort_order=0coll_view=0coll_package=0coll_start=1 Ley, Graham. A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater. USA: University of Chicago Press, 1991. O’Donnell, Kerri. The Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome: Solving Algebraic Expressions. USA: Rosen Classroom, 2005. â€Å"Origins of Greek Pottery. † http://www. 2020site. org/greece/vases. html Osborne, R. Archaic and Classical Greek Art. USA: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Developing Emergency Action Plan for Gym

Developing Emergency Action Plan for Gym Understanding emergency procedures in fitness environment An emergency response system is crucial for ensuring a safe environment for members, users, and staff, as well as being a very sound practice for managing risk. With health and fitness facilities, an emergency response system must be established to offer the highest reasonable safety level for users and staff. Emergency gym procedures are the established plans that are instigated if an emergency occurs. It may be simply a power outage, or more seriously a medical emergency, a fire or even a weather-related scenario. Gyms must have an emergency action plan (EAP) in place so that all the occupants at the time will be able to act effectively if required. What Would You Do? If a gym clients is seriously injured, or worse, dies in front of you while they have been exercising. What would you do? The question usually comes as a complete surprise to existing and new instructors. Unfortunately, the notion of folks dying or being injured while in an exercise environment is rarely addressed by the gym management, or by employees. Therefore, when it does happens, which it will one day, the gym is in chaos as basically nobody knows what procedures to follow. Gym Emergency: Typical Scenario This is what usually happens when procedures are obscure. The gym staff are not clear about what to do, panic may ensue. The front desk operator telephones 911 (or the police). The gym management may performs CPR/AED. Members are afraid to help or do not wish to be involved. While this scenario is generally what happens, it is that the instructor/trainers not knowing that is particularly disturbing when seconds and minutes are crucial and can save a life. The reasoning here is that on the whole the gym staff do not know a gym’s emergency procedures, regarding say, a heart attack. Even if they do know the procedure, how many instructors are CRP/AED certified? Why Many Gym Managements Don’t Know EAP? It is assumed that instructors who are CPR/AED certified already know what to do. They do not want to scare away new instructors. The gym has no procedures in place for emergencies (other than â€Å"call 911†³). It has not occurred to the manager/owner that clients may experience heart attacks there. Chain of Command Every gym should have a chain of responsibility which is deployed during an emergency. Emergencies can happen at any moment. There will be occasions when the person in overall charge will not be in the premises. That is why a chain of responsibility is essential, as the next person becomes in charge of the emergency. Activation of EAP The individual in charge at the time should make the call to activate an EAP. If a medical emergency has occurred, then those who are trained in CPR and emergency aid must remain with the patient. The person in charge at the time will coordinate the staff and gym personnel as to what they must do while the plan is in activation. Location of Equipment All gyms should have emergency equipment to hand. This must include a first aid kit, a telephone, fire extinguisher/s and sometimes an automated external defibrillator (AED). Every person that works in the gym must know where this equipment is available. Posting of Emergency Procedure Gyms should have an EAP poster in a visible position in order that all the information is easily available in case of an emergency. This should list the chain of command, the location of emergency equipment, and other relevant information. People do not really think clearly in an emergency, and having an EAP poster with all relevant information can save a lives when time matters most. Managing the Risks The management of risk refers to those practices and systems that gyms should establish to limit their exposure to any potential liability or financial loss. In the health club and fitness industry, risk management refers to the practices, systems and procedures by which a gym can reduce the risk of an employee or a client coming to harm (injury or death). Risk management involves practices that are preventive (such as pre-activity screening and correctly maintaining equipment) to practices that can be considered a reaction to unexpected events (such as emergency response systems). It must be acknowledged that the various types of health and fitness facilities do markedly vary, from the unsupervised to medically supervised clinical exercise centers. Gyms and exercise facilities often serve varied aims and clients, they do or don’t have organized programs, and also may or may not employ staff that are qualified. Management should use the local medical personnel or healthcare professionals to help develop an emergency response program. Local emergency medical services (EMS) can help a facility to develop a response program. Gyms and facilities can also engage the services of a physician, a registered nurse, or a certified emergency medical technician to assist in the development of their response program. An emergency response system should consider any emergency situations that may occur. Among these are medical emergencies that can be foreseen in regard to moderate or more intense workouts, such as hypoglycemia, a heart attack, a stroke, cardiac arrest or heat illness, and injuries that are in nature orthopedic. The response system should also consider other potential emergencies not specifically caused by physical activity, such a chemical accident, fire, and a range of weather and natural disaster events. An emergency response plan should consider explicit steps and instructions on how the emergency situation must be dealt with and including the roles that 1st , 2nd , and 3rd responders to an emergency will play. Additionally, an emergency response plan must indicate clearly the locations of emergency equipment (e.g., telephone for 911 and contact info for EMS, locations of the emergency exits, and the access points for EMS personnel), and also the steps needed to contact local EMS. It is preferable to physically rehearse the emergency response system at least twice per year. Medical Emergencies at the Gym Exercise brings so many health benefits, and moreover is beneficial to people with many medical conditions that include heart disease and Myocardial infarction (heart attack). The risk of a sudden medical emergency is ever present, and medical emergencies may occur before, during and after exercise. For vulnerable people, exercise may precipitate an emergency at the gym which can emanate from many different medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, heart disease, and also a poor physical condition, or obesity and so on. For example, if an individual experiences pressure of the chest during or after an exercise session, they must call an ambulance to ride to the hospital irrespective of whether the person is on medication for blood pressure or has had three prior heart attacks, if they are 22 years of age, or seemingly fit and healthy. What to do in an Emergency Let us assume that you are an instructor in a gym which has no clearly visible emergency procedure, or none that you are of. Perhaps one day you will hear a PA system announcement asking: â€Å"Is there a doctor or nurse in the building?† that is usually a sign that something quite bad has happened. You might or might not hear those words over the PA. All clubs are different. If you feel that an emergency is occurring, whatever you may be doing, should be dropped and then head to the emergency location to assess the situation. Do not assume that someone else will do it. If you are instructing at the time, make excuses and go yourself. After arriving, these basic steps should be followed. If a person collapses, then immediately inform emergency medical services and also care for the person according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association CPR or similar authority. If there is an automated external defibrillator (AED) available, then utilise it. Every instructor or trainer and gym management personnel are encouraged to at attend a basic CPR course. CPR techniques are easy to learn and they carry a very low risk of transmission of any disease to a provider if hands-only CPR is used or one of other modern protocols that de-emphasize giving rescue breaths mouth-to-mouth. The training will help to prepare one to deal with a clear medical emergency such as collapse and in particular, the loss of pulse. Many medical emergencies begin with much less clear signs or symptoms. Chest pain is perhaps the most prevalent symptom of a cardiac emergency, although people often describe what they are feeling as tightness or pressure. Discomfort or sensations in the jaw or neck, the arms, the upper abdomen or back, may also be linked to a cardiac event. Even without any chest discomfort, a shortness of breath, may well be a heart attack symptom or other medical emergency. This is a common feeling at a gym even for healthy individuals during or immediately following exercise. The thing to watch for is whether the shortness of breath seems dis-proportionate to the situation or if it is lasting longer than normal. Unfortunately, several other possible causes may be associated with a cardiac event such as, lightheadedness, nausea and sweating amongst them. Again, the rule of thumb is to look for what may seem out of the ordinary under the circumstances. Strokes are also a medical emergency which requires immediate response. While strokes are less usually thought of as being associated with exercising, the symptoms and signs of a stroke include: a sudden headache, difficulty with finding words language comprehension confusion speech is slurred un – coordinated movement and numbness a tingling or a weakness particularly on one side of the body or face. What actually constitutes a real medical emergency is often a challenging judgment call, and if one is in doubt then it’s better to send the person immediately to an emergency department and let the professionals assess. Occasionally, people might prefer to visit an urgent care or their doctor’s office, but those facilities will usually not have the necessary resources to assess or manage a real emergency and so should be consulted for routine health care and what are clearly minor issues. Some may wish to avoid the expense or drama of calling an ambulance. Bear in mind that if a person is really having a heart attack or a stroke, the minutes count, and the time elapsing from the start of the event to treatment will determine the extent of damage to heart muscle or to the brain – elapsing time can dramatically alter outcomes. If CPR is Necessary Keep calm Perform CPR /use the AED (if you are CPR/AED certified) Have a staff member call 911 and also contact the gym manager/owner, regarding the incident Perform CPR ( or AED) until the paramedics arrive Instruct a staff member to get the member’s club file to give to the paramedics on their arrival (this file should contain contact info, the medications of the person and such like, important info for paramedics). Assign a member of staff to wait outside the premises, to escort the paramedics inside and to the emergency location on their arrival. File an incident report Common Gym Related Emergencies Occasionally an athlete may experience a potentially life changing injury, such as to the head or a severe neck injury, eye injuries, or similar. However the majority of sports-related injuries will be bone and soft tissue injuries like strains, sprains, dislocations and knee injuries. Most of these injuries will absolutely require treatment, but it may not be necessary to call for an emergency response. On the whole, apart from the very serious health emergencies which may never even happen in your presence, most injuries that are gym and exercise related are avoidable. Remember the golden rules to follow, and hopefully almost all injuries will not occur on your watch. Warm –up Stretching (both pre- and post-exercise ) Hydration Nutrition Rest Bear in mind that a body operates like a machine, yet it requires diligent maintenance such as correct nutrition, stretching and rest. Too much of a good thing, or overworking the body is always inadvisable and regularly leads to negative results. Remember to know your own limits and also those of the clients, meaning listen to your body and hopefully the incidence of injury will be greatly diminished.

The around The World Party At College :: essays research papers

The "Around The World" Party at College As I approached the party I could hear the blasting music all the way from the street. When I reached the back of the house to enter I could distinguish the song that was playing; it was â€Å"It's good to be King† by Tom Petty. After waiting in a line to enter I was finally in the loud, crowded house. Upon my arrival the host of the party informed me that there were no cups left, and that I would have to look for one. So I handed him my money as I was shoved into the next room by other arriving guest, eager to enter. Every person there was present for their own personal reasons. Whether these reason be social or simply for entertainment no one could tell. The only thing we all had in common was our goal to consume alcohol. As soon as I walked in the room I immediately could see and smell the smoke that was lingering in the air around the house. I was handed a cup by a friend. Looking into it to see if it had been used, we both shrugged and turned towards the basement. As I pushed my way through the crowd to look for the keg I immediately knew it was in the corner because of the crowd surrounding it. Once I reached the keg, I found myself waiting once again for my beer. The person who was filling up the cups was not filling them first come first serve. He would fill the cups of his friends first, then the girls, and then if he had to fill up his own cup he would. While doing this he was talking his friend whose job it was to pump the keg when needed. People were sticking their cups in front of the tap as if they were fighting for food, and they hadn't eaten for days. There must of have been twenty people all forcing their cups in the general area of the tap. Once I had my beverage, I decided to go visit the rooms to see what kind of alcohol was being served. This party was an â€Å"around the world party† which meant that every room had a different theme and appropriate drinks to the theme could be found there. My first stop was Jamaica. When I entered the room the first thing I saw was this guy dressed up like a native Jamaican, appropriate to the theme of the room. He had on a bright tie- dyed shirt with a dread locked wig.

Post-Colonial Themes in David Maloufs Remembering Babylon Essay exampl

Post-Colonial Themes in David Malouf's Remembering Babylon It is interesting to note that, although in the context of this MA course we are studying Malouf's novel in terms of a post-colonial response, the author himself has expressed the opinion that it is not, strictly speaking, a post-colonial text. Most would agree with Malouf in that it is certainly not an example of resistance or response from a member of a colonised community in the same vein as, for example, Chinua Achebe or some Native Canadian authors. Rather, it can be seen as an examination of the colonial project by a descendant of the original colonisers. Nevertheless, there are several themes running through the novel which constitute elements of post-colonial discourse, and this page intends to briefly examine some of them. There is a pervasive sense of colonial guilt throughout Remembering Babylon, an awareness of the suspect morality of the colonial process. Like Great Expectations, Babylon recognises Australia as a potential utopia for the industrious European immigrant - unlike Dickens, however, Malouf asserts that the success of the project rests not on merely exploiting the resources available (while ignoring or displacing the indigenous people), but on reaching a kind of harmony and exchange with the landscape and with the colonised. This hybrid culture represents, for Malouf, the ideal ultimate outcome of the colonial process. The potential for this utopia is personalised in the crude shape of Gemmy Fairley, an English castaway who lives among aborigines for 16 years before crossing back into European civilisation, where his identity is immediately called into question. Gemmy is an 'in-between creature'(p.28), occupying an uncertain cultural spa... ...piphany, a realisation of harmony with nature which is very aboriginal in character. Viewed from a post-colonial perspective, Remembering Babylon is a pessimistic assessment of the colonial project, a lament for the missed opportunities which a meeting of disparate cultures could provide for humanity. Yes, there is a hopeful hint that the utopia is still somehow attainable, in the self-knowledge gained by Jock, Janet, Lachlan and Frazer. However Malouf, writing as he is in the last decade of the twentieth century, is aware that the colonial project has failed on these terms, and this realisation must inform any reading of the novel. NOTE: Much of the material used on this page is taken from a conversation with David Malouf in Dublin, 19 April 1997. NOTE: The page numbers referred to on this page are taken from the 1994 Vintage edition of Remembering Babylon.

Comparison of the Ant and the Grasshopper Essay

Some people live life like it is their last day alive, spending everything. Some other people save every penny they own. Which way of life produces a better life? What should people do with their money? In the fable, â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper† and the modern fable, â€Å"The Richer, the Poorer,† the main characters reflect two opposite views of how to live life. Both the ant from â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper,† and Lottie from â€Å"The Richer, the Poorer,† concern themselves with preparation and comforts of life. For example, the ant from â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper† was a very hard worker. During the summer, he worked hard, saving food for the winter. He sacrificed fun and other obstacles so he wouldn’t starve to death during winter. Likewise, Lottie is similar to the ant, even though she is human. She was a laborer, who was always trying to hold up a job. She sacrificed buying candy as a child, and saved every penny that she earned, so she could use it when she really needed it. Lottie lived a very comfortable life, and often scolded her sister, Bess, for the way Bess didn’t save money like her. Near the end of the story, Lottie lets Bess move in with her, and had to do loads of work to prepare and take care of her. Thus, these two characters plan to keep their lives secure with hard work, saving, and sacrifice. Unlike Lottie and the ant, Bess and grasshopper live for the day. For example, the Grasshopper, from â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper,† spent the summer singing and having fun, living his life to the fullest. Likewise, Bess, from â€Å"The Richer, the Poorer,† spends her time traveling the world. She spends every penny she earns, living life full of laughter and fun, even though she was in rags, not riches. She owns very few possessions, but still has fun with her life. These two characters live a very fun, joyful life. These four characters learn a valuable lesson. They shouldn’t work all the time so they can enjoy life later without enjoying it at the present, but they should not just spend everything they have, because they need some planning in their life so they don’t live in rags. Lottie wasted a lot of her life planning and saving for the future, while Bess lived a fun life, but had hardships in her life that Lottie never had. And had the Grasshopper prepared, he wouldn’t have had to be hungry for the winter. One should balance work and play to have the best life.