Aesop
|
Greece

The Ant and The Dove

An ant falls into water and is saved by a dove, and later the ant saves the dove from a hunter.
Gratitude
Kindness
Empathy
Aesop's Fables - The Ant and The Dove
Audio available for B1 version

One hot day, an ant was searching for some water. After walking around for some time, she came to a spring. To reach the spring, she had to climb up a blade of grass. While making her way up, she slipped and fell into the water.

As she was struggling to stay afloat, a dove sitting on a nearby tree saw her. The dove quickly plucked a leaf and dropped it into the water near the struggling ant. The ant climbed onto the leaf and floated safely to the bank.

Just then, a hunter nearby was aiming to shoot the dove with his arrow. Seeing this, the ant quickly bit the hunter's heel. Feeling the pain, the hunter dropped his arrow, which missed the dove and flew harmlessly away.

The dove was grateful to the ant for saving her life, and the ant was glad to repay the favor.

One hot day, a little ant was very thirsty. He went down to a river to drink some water. While trying to drink, the ant slipped and fell into the water. The ant struggled and could not swim well, so he started to drown. He tried to climb out, but the current was too strong for him.

A dove was sitting on a tree branch nearby and saw the ant in trouble. The dove quickly picked a large leaf and dropped it into the water near the ant. The ant climbed onto the leaf and floated safely to the riverbank. The ant was very grateful and thanked the dove for saving his life.

A few days later, the ant saw a hunter with a bow and arrow. The hunter was trying to shoot the dove. The ant wanted to help his friend. He quietly crawled up to the hunter and bit him on the foot. The hunter yelled in pain and dropped the bow. The dove heard the noise and flew away to safety.

Both the ant and the dove were happy to help each other.

One day, a little ant is very thirsty. He goes to a river to drink water. The ant slips and falls into the water. He cannot swim. The ant starts to sink.

A dove sits on a tree branch. She sees the ant in trouble. The dove picks a big leaf. She drops the leaf into the water. The ant climbs on the leaf. The leaf floats to the side. The ant is safe. He thanks the dove.

A few days later, the ant sees a man with a bow and arrow. The man wants to shoot the dove. The ant wants to help his friend. He walks to the man and bites his foot. The man yells and drops the bow. The dove hears the noise and flies away.

The ant and the dove are happy. They help each other.

One hot day, a little ant was very thirsty. He went down to a river to drink some water. While trying to drink, the ant slipped and fell into the water. The ant struggled and could not swim well, so he started to drown. He tried to climb out, but the current was too strong for him.

A dove was sitting on a tree branch nearby and saw the ant in trouble. The dove quickly picked a large leaf and dropped it into the water near the ant. The ant climbed onto the leaf and floated safely to the riverbank. The ant was very grateful and thanked the dove for saving his life.

A few days later, the ant saw a hunter with a bow and arrow. The hunter was trying to shoot the dove. The ant wanted to help his friend. He quietly crawled up to the hunter and bit him on the foot. The hunter yelled in pain and dropped the bow. The dove heard the noise and flew away to safety.

Both the ant and the dove were happy to help each other.

One scorching day, an ant was wandering about, looking for water, and probably a bit of cake, because as you know, water is rather dull on its own. “Water, water, water,” she mumbled, “if only there were a water café around here!”

Eventually, after walking around like a stand-up comedian looking for a punchline, she stumbled upon a spring. To get to it, she had to climb a blade of grass that was as tall as a skyscraper (if you're an ant, that is). Halfway up, she slipped, tumbled, and splashed right into the water.

“Oh, fab, a bath!” she exclaimed, but then realized, “Wait, I can't swim!”

As she was bobbing and flailing, a dove up in a tree spotted her. The dove was a classy sort, “Oh dear, that won't do at all!” said the dove, and quickly plucked a leaf, dropping it like a lifesaver near the struggling ant.

The ant climbed onto the leaf, muttering, “Could've used a rubber duck, but this will do!” and floated safely to the bank.

Just then, a hunter nearby was aiming to shoot the dove with his arrow, looking all serious and focused. The ant, noticing the danger, said, “Not on my watch, or my imaginary wristwatch!” and quickly bit the hunter's heel.

“OW!” shouted the hunter, dropping his arrow like a hot potato, which missed the dove and zinged away, probably to join a circus or something equally exciting.

The dove chuckled, “Well, that's a bit of good fortune, isn't it? Tea, anyone?”

The ant, still catching her breath, replied, “I prefer cake, but I'm glad to help!”

The dove was thankful, the ant was proud, and they both had a good laugh about the silliness of life. And as for the hunter? He probably went home to put some ice on his heel and rethink his life choices.

In a meadow bright and grand,
An ant sought water on the land.
She found a spring, sparkling and clear,
But reaching it, she felt great fear.

Up a grassy blade she climbed so high,
But oh! she slipped, with a little cry.
Into the water, she did splash,
Hoping she wouldn't end with a crash.

A dove, so gentle, in a tree did spy,
The tiny ant's distressed little cry.
Swiftly, a leaf from the tree she tore,
And to the water, the lifeline she bore.

The ant clambered up, safe and sound,
But a danger to the dove was soon found.
A hunter, with arrow ready to release,
Had the gentle dove in his sights, oh jeez!

Quick as a flash, the ant took a stand,
Biting the hunter on his foot, oh so grand.
Startled, the hunter's aim did sway,
And the arrow flew harmlessly away.

Both safe and sound, on that sunny day,
The ant and dove danced and did play.
In friendship strong, they both did bask,
Helping each other, no need to ask.

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Word Finder

  1. Thirsty

    Wanting to drink water very much.

  2. Struggled

    Tried very hard to do something.

  3. Drown

    Die because you can't breathe underwater.

  4. Current

    Fast-moving water in a river or sea.

  5. Nearby

    Close to a place or person.

  6. Grateful

    Feeling thankful for someone's help.

  7. Hunter

    Person who catches or kills animals.

  8. Bow

    A weapon used to shoot arrows.

  9. Arrow

    A pointed stick shot from a bow.

  10. Bit

    To use your teeth to cut something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the little ant go down to the river?
  2. What happened to the ant when he tried to drink water from the river?
  3. How did the dove help the ant when he was in the river?
  4. What did the ant do to help the dove when he saw the hunter?
  5. How did the dove escape from the hunter?

Word Finder

  1. Thirsty

    Wanting to drink water very much.

  2. River

    A big stream of water that flows.

  3. Slips

    Falls because of losing balance.

  4. Sink

    Go down in water and cannot float.

  5. Branch

    A part of a tree that sticks out.

  6. Floats

    Stays on top of the water without sinking.

  7. Bow

    A curved weapon for shooting arrows.

  8. Arrow

    A pointed stick shot from a bow.

  9. Shoot

    Make something go fast from a bow.

  10. Noise

    A loud sound that you can hear.

  1. Thirsty

    Wanting to drink water very much.

  2. Struggled

    Tried very hard to do something.

  3. Drown

    Die because you can't breathe underwater.

  4. Current

    Fast-moving water in a river or sea.

  5. Nearby

    Close to a place or person.

  6. Grateful

    Feeling thankful for someone's help.

  7. Hunter

    Person who catches or kills animals.

  8. Bow

    A weapon used to shoot arrows.

  9. Arrow

    A pointed stick shot from a bow.

  10. Bit

    To use your teeth to cut something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where does the ant go to drink water?

    1. To a lake
    2. To a river
    3. To a pond
    4. To a well
  2. What happens to the ant when he goes to drink water?

    1. He swims
    2. He falls into the water
    3. He flies away
    4. He drinks the water
  3. Who helps the ant when he falls into the water?

    1. A fish
    2. A frog
    3. A dove
    4. A dog
  4. How does the dove help the ant?

    1. She picks him up.
    2. She gives him a stick.
    3. She drops a leaf into the water.
    4. She sings a song.
  5. What does the ant do to help the dove?

    1. He bites a man’s foot.
    2. He swims to her.
    3. He gives her food.
    4. He flies away.
  1. Why did the little ant go down to the river?
  2. What happened to the ant when he tried to drink water from the river?
  3. How did the dove help the ant when he was in the river?
  4. What did the ant do to help the dove when he saw the hunter?
  5. How did the dove escape from the hunter?
  1. What caused the ant to fall into the river, and how did he struggle to survive?
  2. Describe the dove's actions and reasoning when it noticed the ant's distress.
  3. How did the ant repay the dove's kindness, and what were the consequences for the hunter?
  4. Why did the dove decide to help the ant, and what does this reveal about the dove's character?
  5. What does the interaction between the ant and the dove demonstrate about their relationship and mutual aid?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the dove decide to help the ant even though they are different types of creatures?
  2. How do you think the ant felt when it was struggling in the water and then saved by the dove?
  3. Can you remember a time when someone helped you when you were in trouble?
  4. What does this story teach us about kindness, gratitude, and helping others regardless of their size or kind?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives to help others when they are in need, even if they are different from us?

Fable Quotes

In the depths of adversity, gratitude blooms as bonds of kindness are forged and lifesaving acts of compassion are repaid.
Be kind, and you'll find kindness returning to you.
Empathy bridges the gaps between different beings, allowing kindness to flow and lives to be saved.
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