The Ant and the Dove
An Ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was
on the point of drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the
stream close to her. The Ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterwards a
birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches.
The Ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the
noise made the Dove take wing.
Moral
One good turn deserves another
Key Vocabulary Words and Phrases
bank of a river - the side of the river where you can stand
to quench your thirst - to drink when you are thirsty
on the point of - just about to do something
to drown - to die in the water because you can't swim
to overhang - to be in a position over something else
twigs - small branches usually with leaves attached
to perceive - to understand
One good turn deserves another - If someone does something to help you, you should do something to help
him / her when possible.
Questions / Discussion
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What did the Dove do for the Ant?
What did the Ant do for the Dove?
Vocabulary Building - Make a list of words related to these categories presented in the fable:
1. water
2. trees
3. animals
Do you have any stories / fables in your culture that has a similar message? If so, try to tell the
story or fable in English.
Tell a story of when you helped someone who helped you. Explain why.