Ant and the Bird

Once upon a time, there was a long period of drought in the animal kingdom. As a result, almost every day the animals went in search of water.

One day when Ant woke up, she realized that she did not have enough water to quench her trust, so she went in search of water.

Fortunately, after walking a while, she came across a river and just as she was about to drink some of the water, she slipped and fell into the river.

She struggled to come out but to no avail. Her continuous shouts for help did not help because of the obscure nature of the location of the river.

Ant did her best to come out but anytime she tried she slipped into the river again and again. Minutes later, she heard Bird chirping from one of the trees.

Ant realized that it was her last hope so with the little strength left in her she called out for the Bird loudly. Bird heard her distress call and was able to trace it to the river. However, she did not know who had called her for help so she got closer to the river.

'Who is there?' Bird shouted. 'It's me,' Ant replied.

Ant then begged Bird to rescue her and she would repay her later. Bird laughed over that statement because she considered Ant too little an animal to offer any assistance to her. Nevertheless, she agreed to help her.

She threw a leaf into the river and shouted for Ant to climb onto it. The leaf then floated to the side of the river and with that Ant was rescued.

Ant thanked Bird and reassured her that she would help her one day. Again, Bird laughed over that and flew away. 'How can a small Ant help me?' she said to herself.

Few months after that incident, a hunter went to the forest in search of an animal to kill for food. Luckily, he saw the same Bird making her nest.

'Ah,' thought the hunter, 'I will kill and eat this bird.' By that time the hunter had removed his gun which hung by his side and was getting it ready to kill the Bird. Ant, who was close by, noticed that the hunter wanted to shoot Bird and thought this would be the appropriate period to repay Bird for her good deed towards her.

Ant climbed onto the hunter's leg. She ran through his back, then to his shoulders before landing on the arm that held the gun and bit it as hard as it could. The hunter jumped and fired his gun into the air. Bird was startled by the shot and flew away to safety.

Bird moved to a safer place and when she looked down, she realized it was Ant that had saved her life.

Later when they met, Bird thanked Ant. 'We will always be friends,' she said, and Ant answered, 'Remember, one good turn deserves another.'