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.
Audio available for B1 version
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.
كان يا ما كان، في يوم حار، كانت هناك نملة صغيرة تشعر بعطش شديد. ذهبت إلى النهر لتشرب بعض الماء. بينما كانت تحاول الشرب، انزلقت النملة وسقطت في الماء. حاولت النملة السباحة، لكنها لم تكن تجيد السباحة جيداً، فبدأت تغرق. حاولت الخروج، لكن التيار كان قوياً جداً.
كانت هناك حمامة جالسة على غصن شجرة قريب، ورأت النملة وهي في ورطة. بسرعة، قامت الحمامة بقطف ورقة كبيرة وأسقطتها في الماء قرب النملة. صعدت النملة على الورقة وطفَت بأمان إلى ضفة النهر. كانت النملة ممتنة جداً وشكرت الحمامة على إنقاذها.
بعد بضعة أيام، رأت النملة صيادًا يحمل قوسًا وسهامًا. كان الصياد يحاول إصابة الحمامة. أرادت النملة مساعدة صديقتها. بهدوء، زحفت النملة نحو الصياد وعضته في قدمه. صرخ الصياد من الألم وأسقط القوس. سمعت الحمامة الضجيج وطارت بعيداً إلى بر الأمان.
كانت النملة والحمامة سعيدتين لمساعدة بعضهما البعض.
Eines heißen Tages hatte eine kleine Ameise großen Durst. Sie ging zum Fluss, um etwas Wasser zu trinken. Als sie trinken wollte, rutschte die Ameise aus und fiel ins Wasser. Die Ameise hatte Probleme, weil sie nicht gut schwimmen konnte, und begann zu ertrinken. Sie versuchte, herauszuklettern, aber die Strömung war zu stark für sie.
Eine Taube saß auf einem Ast in der Nähe und sah, dass die Ameise in Schwierigkeiten war. Die Taube pflückte schnell ein großes Blatt und ließ es in der Nähe der Ameise ins Wasser fallen. Die Ameise kletterte auf das Blatt und trieb sicher zum Ufer. Die Ameise war sehr dankbar und bedankte sich bei der Taube dafür, dass sie ihr das Leben gerettet hatte.
Einige Tage später sah die Ameise einen Jäger mit Pfeil und Bogen. Der Jäger versuchte, die Taube zu schießen. Die Ameise wollte ihrem Freund helfen. Sie kroch leise zum Jäger und biss ihn in den Fuß. Der Jäger schrie vor Schmerz auf und ließ den Bogen fallen. Die Taube hörte das Geräusch und flog in Sicherheit.
Sowohl die Ameise als auch die Taube waren froh, dass sie sich gegenseitig helfen konnten.
एक गरम दिन, एक छोटी चींटी को बहुत प्यास लगी। वह पानी पीने के लिए नदी के किनारे पहुंची। पानी पीते समय, चींटी फिसल गई और नदी में गिर गई। चींटी ने तैरने का बहुत प्रयास किया, लेकिन वह ठीक से तैर नहीं पा रही थी और धीरे-धीरे डूबने लगी। वह बाहर निकलने का प्रयास करती रही, लेकिन पानी का बहाव बहुत तीव्र था।
वहीं पास के एक पेड़ की शाखा पर एक कबूतर बैठा था। उसने चींटी को समस्या में देखा। बिना देर किए, कबूतर ने एक बड़ा सा पत्ता तोड़ा और उसे चींटी के पास नदी में गिरा दिया। चींटी उस पत्ते पर चढ़ गई और सुरक्षित नदी के किनारे पहुँच गई। चींटी ने कबूतर को आभार व्यक्त कर उसकी जान बचाने के लिए धन्यवाद किया।
कुछ दिनों बाद, चींटी ने एक शिकारी को देखा जो धनुष-बाण लेकर कबूतर को मारने की कोशिश कर रहा था। चींटी ने सोचा कि उसे अपने मित्र की सहायता करनी चाहिए। वह चुपचाप शिकारी के पास पहुंची और उसके पैर में जोर से काट लिया। शिकारी दर्द से चिल्लाया और उससे उसका धनुष छूट गया। कबूतर ने यह आवाज़ सुनी और उड़कर अपनी जान बचा ली।
चींटी और कबूतर दोनों ही एक-दूसरे की सहायता कर प्रसन्न थे।
Det var en gång en liten myra som blev väldigt törstig, för det var så varmt ute. Han gick ner till en flod för att dricka lite vatten. Men när han försökte dricka halkade han och föll ner i vattnet. Myran kämpade för att ta sig upp, men eftersom han inte kunde simma så bra, började han sjunka. Han försökte klättra upp ur vattnet, men strömmen var alldeles för stark.
En duva satt på en gren i närheten och såg myrans problem. Snabbt plockade den ett stort blad och släppte ner det i vattnet nära myran. Myran klättrade upp på bladet och flöt utan problem in till flodstranden. Den blev väldigt tacksam och tackade duvan för att ha räddat hans liv.
Några dagar senare såg myran en jägare med en pilbåge. Jägaren försökte skjuta duvan. Myran ville hjälpa sin vän. Tyst kröp han fram till jägaren och bet honom i foten. Jägaren skrek till av smärta och tappade pilbågen. Duvan hörde ljudet och flög snabbt iväg och satte sig i säkerhet.
Både myran och duvan var glada över att ha kunnat hjälpa varandra.
在一个炎热的夏天，一只小蚂蚁口渴极了。他走到河边想喝点水。可是，当他低头喝水的时候，不小心滑进了河里。小蚂蚁拼命挣扎，因为他不会游泳，很快就要被水淹没了。他试着爬出水面，但水流太强，无法上岸。
这时，一只鸽子正好停在附近的一根树枝上，看到了小蚂蚁的困境。鸽子迅速衔起一片大树叶，丢进了水里，正好落在小蚂蚁身边。小蚂蚁爬上了树叶，顺着水流安全地漂到了河岸上。小蚂蚁非常感激，感谢鸽子救了他一命。
几天后，小蚂蚁看到一个猎人拿着弓箭，正准备射击那只鸽子。小蚂蚁想要帮他的朋友。他悄悄地爬到猎人脚边，狠狠地咬了他一口。猎人疼得大叫一声，手里的弓也掉到了地上。鸽子听到了动静，赶紧飞走，逃到了安全的地方。
小蚂蚁和鸽子都为能够互相帮助而感到高兴。
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.
On a scorching day, a small ant felt extremely thirsty. He headed towards a river to quench his thirst. As he tried to drink, the ant lost his footing and tumbled into the water. The ant floundered and struggled to swim, quickly beginning to drown. He attempted to escape, but the current was far too powerful for him.
Nearby, a dove was perched on a tree branch and noticed the ant's distress. Acting swiftly, the dove plucked a large leaf and dropped it into the water near the ant. The ant climbed onto the leaf and was carried safely to the riverbank. Grateful, the ant thanked the dove for rescuing him.
A few days later, the ant spotted a hunter with a bow and arrow. The hunter was aiming to shoot the dove. Remembering his friend's kindness, the ant decided to help. He quietly crawled up to the hunter and bit him on the foot. The hunter cried out in pain and dropped the bow. Startled by the noise, the dove flew away to safety.
Both the ant and the dove were delighted to have helped 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.
Word Finder
Thirsty
Wanting to drink water very much.River
A big stream of water that flows.Slips
Falls because of losing balance.Sink
Go down in water and cannot float.Branch
A part of a tree that sticks out.Floats
Stays on top of the water without sinking.Bow
A curved weapon for shooting arrows.Arrow
A pointed stick shot from a bow.Shoot
Make something go fast from a bow.Noise
A loud sound that you can hear.
Thirsty
Wanting to drink water very much.Struggled
Tried very hard to do something.Drown
Die because you can't breathe underwater.Current
Fast-moving water in a river or sea.Nearby
Close to a place or person.Grateful
Feeling thankful for someone's help.Hunter
Person who catches or kills animals.Bow
A weapon used to shoot arrows.Arrow
A pointed stick shot from a bow.Bit
To use your teeth to cut something.
Scorching
Very hot, like a sunny day.Quench
To stop being thirsty by drinking.Tumbled
Fell down suddenly and heavily.Floundered
Struggled to move in water.Current
Strong flow of water in a river.Perched
Sitting on a branch or something high.Distress
Very upset or in trouble.Plucked
Took quickly with a sudden action.Grateful
Feeling thankful for something nice.Startled
Suddenly surprised or scared by something.
Scorching
Very hot, like a burning summer day.Wandering
Moving around without a specific direction or purpose.Mumbled
Spoke in a low, unclear way, often quietly.Comedian
Someone who tells jokes and makes people laugh.Stumbled
Tripped or lost balance while walking.Splashed
Fell into water, making water go everywhere.Flailing
Waving arms and legs wildly, usually when struggling.Lifesaver
Something that helps someone avoid danger or trouble.Imaginary
Something made up in the mind, not real.Fortune
Good luck or something lucky happening.
Meadow
A field of grass and flowers.Sparkling
Shining with bright, flashing light.Clambered
Climbed with effort or difficulty.Distressed
Very upset, worried, or in trouble.Lifeline
Something that helps someone out of danger.Hunter
A person who catches and kills animals.Arrow
A pointed stick shot from a bow.Startled
Suddenly surprised or frightened.Aim
The act of pointing a weapon at something.Bask
To enjoy warmth and light, often from the sun.
Understanding Questions
- Where does the ant go to drink water?
- To a lake
- To a river
- To a pond
- To a well
- What happens to the ant when he goes to drink water?
- He swims
- He falls into the water
- He flies away
- He drinks the water
- Who helps the ant when he falls into the water?
- A fish
- A frog
- A dove
- A dog
- How does the dove help the ant?
- She picks him up.
- She gives him a stick.
- She drops a leaf into the water.
- She sings a song.
- What does the ant do to help the dove?
- He bites a man’s foot.
- He swims to her.
- He gives her food.
- He flies away.
- Why did the little ant go down to the river?
- What happened to the ant when he tried to drink water from the river?
- How did the dove help the ant when he was in the river?
- What did the ant do to help the dove when he saw the hunter?
- How did the dove escape from the hunter?
- What caused the ant to fall into the river, and how did he struggle to survive?
- Describe the dove's actions and reasoning when it noticed the ant's distress.
- How did the ant repay the dove's kindness, and what were the consequences for the hunter?
- Why did the dove decide to help the ant, and what does this reveal about the dove's character?
- What does the interaction between the ant and the dove demonstrate about their relationship and mutual aid?
Reflection Questions
- Why did the dove decide to help the ant even though they are different types of creatures?
- How do you think the ant felt when it was struggling in the water and then saved by the dove?
- Can you remember a time when someone helped you when you were in trouble?
- What does this story teach us about kindness, gratitude, and helping others regardless of their size or kind?
- 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.
Just One More Fable
- Contentment
- Understanding
The Inquisitive Cat
A curious cat, confused by its reflection in a mirror, decides to focus on simple pleasures after a failed investigation.
- Caution
- Humility
The Fighting Roosters and The Eagle
Two Roosters fought, one was defeated and humiliated, while the other boasted but was taken by an Eagle, allowing the defeated Rooster to claim victory.
- Forgiveness
- Empathy
The Goat and The Goatherd
A diligent Goatherd looked after a flock of goats but accidentally broke the horn of one, realizing that mistakes cannot be concealed.
- Trust
- Deception
The Fox and The Woodcutter
A woodcutter helps a fox hide but secretly points out its hiding place. What do you think the fox felt afterward?