Foreword:
This fable represents reward of compassionate behaviour. It is numbered 235 in the Perry Index (as 235. The Ant and the Dove). Although, there has been very little variation in the fable since it was first recorded in Ancient Greek sources, this fable shares common details with the 'The Fowler and the Snake', which is numbered 115 in the Perry Index.
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Once, a thirsty ant was searching for some water to drink.
Compelled by thirst, and finding no other source, the ant reached the bank of a river.
Although the water was clear and enticing, the river was fast and turbulent. And so, fearing her own safety, the ant was too afraid to go near the water for a drink.
Suddenly, she observed a strand of grass near the edge of the river, and hit upon a plan to quench her thirst.
"In order to reach the water, I will climb down this blade of grass", she said to herself, as the ant climbed the strand of grass.
However, the strand of grass started bending as she moved closer to the edge, because it was not strong enough to support her weight.
Finding it increasingly difficult to balance herself on the bent blade of grass, as the ant neared the water, she slipped and fell into the water.
After her fall, the strong river currents began to carry the ant away.
"Help! Help!", she shouted, as she was on the verge of drowning, not knowing who or how could help her in any manner.
At the same time, a dove was sitting idle on a branch of a tree that was overhanging the river.
The ant's cries for help caught the dove's attention, and he realized that the ant that was being carried by the river towards him, would not be able to swim to safety by herself.
He took pity on the ant's distressed condition, and quickly plucked a fresh but big leaf from the tree, and dropped it close to her.
And the ant, seizing on the lifeline, struggled to reach the floating leaf, climbed over it, and safely floated with the leaf ashore.
The dove, thus, saved the ant. And she, in return, could not even thank him for it, in the spur of the moment.
Therefore, she decided to walk back following the bank, hoping that the dove will still remain there, to personally thank him for what he had done today.
But when she reached back, she was horrified of the view she saw!
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The dove was still there, sitting idle on the same branch.
But, behind the dove was a birdcatcher, casting a net to trap and catch him. Already, the birdcatcher had stealthily come close to the tree where the dove was sitting, and barely moments away from entrapping the dove.
All along, the dove was completely unaware of the danger he faced, and continued to rest on the branch of tree without any worry.
As the ant saw this horrifying view, and the danger her life-saving rescuer faced, she could not think of a way to warn or signal the dove of the impending danger. And she ran, as fast as the ant could, towards the birdcatching hunter.
Before the birdcatcher could make his final move, the ant climbed up his feet, and bit his heel with all her might.
Surprised and agonized by the sudden bout of pain, the birdcatcher could no longer maintain his stealthy composure, and let out a shriek.
And, the commotion thus caused, drew the dove's attention, who instantly realized the danger, and flew away to save himself.
In this manner, the ant saved the dove from being encaged.
When the frustrated birdcatcher went away, the dove returned to thank the ant. The ant replied, "It is I who came to thank you, and chanced upon the birdcatcher. Think nothing of it, because one good turn deserves another."
Moral:
Acts of kindness, however small, are never wasted.
Or,
Good deeds favour good returns given to you.
Summary:
An ant fell into the water, while venturing on the grasses beside a pond. As he struggled to keep afloat, a dove saw him getting drowned. The dove quickly dropped a leaf from a nearby tree, and the ant saved himself by climbing above the floating leaf. As he floated to the shore, he observed a hunter creeping behind the dove with a net - all set to catch him. He quickly bit the hunter with all his might. This made the hunter jump in pain, and alerted the dove, who flew away to safety.
