Aesop

The Ant And The Dove

Summary

This short fable tells the story of an ant and a dove who help each other in times of need, demonstrating the moral that kindness begets kindness. The tale begins with a dove rescuing an ant from drowning by dropping a blade of straw for it to cling to and reach safety. Later, the ant returns the favor when it notices a man about to harm the dove with a stone. The ant bites the man's heel, causing him to miss his target, thereby saving the dove's life. This narrative illustrates the idea of mutual aid and reciprocity, highlighting how acts of kindness can create a cycle of benevolence and protection.

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A Dove saw an Ant fall into a brook. The Ant struggled in vain to reach the bank, and in pity, the Dove dropped a blade of straw close beside it. Clinging to the straw like a shipwrecked sailor to a broken spar, the Ant floated safely to shore.

Soon after, the Ant saw a man getting ready to kill the Dove with a stone. But just as he cast the stone, the Ant stung him in the heel, so that the pain made him miss his aim, and the startled Dove flew to safety in a distant wood.

De mier en de duif fabeltje
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