15.The Ant and the Dove
AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and got carried away by the rushing stream. When he was on the point of drowning, a dove saw him from where she sat on a tree that was overhanging the water. She plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to the ant. The ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank.
Shortly afterwards a bird catcher came along. He placed himself under that tree and laid his lime-twigs for the dove in the branches. The ant understood what he was up to and stung him in the foot. In pain the bird catcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the dove take wing.
❖ One good turn deserves another.
